U.S. Cyber Command Plans Silicon Valley Office to Accelerate Cyber Innovation
Summary
U.S. Cyber Command is reportedly planning a Silicon Valley office at the Defense Innovation Unit to support its Cyber Innovation Warfare Center and speed development of cyber capabilities. Pentagon and Cyber Command spokespeople said they had nothing to announce.
Key points
- Three people familiar with the planning said Cyber Command hopes to establish Cyber Command-West as soon as possible, initially with a small staff at the Defense Innovation Unit.
- The office would support the Cyber Innovation Warfare Center, one of three organizations created under the CYBERCOM 2.0 initiative.
- The center aims to speed development and deployment of cyber tools and bridge the gap between technology demonstrations and government procurement.
- The planned office is intended to strengthen ties with Silicon Valley companies and attract cyber talent.
- Pentagon and Cyber Command spokespeople said they had nothing to announce; the article reports that the office is still in the planning stage.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Reported plan to establish Cyber Command-West, a U.S. Cyber Command satellite office in Silicon Valley.
- Impact
- The planned office is intended to strengthen partnerships with technology companies and cyber talent, and support the Cyber Innovation Warfare Center in accelerating the development, testing, and deployment of cyber capabilities. It is expected to begin with a small staff co-located at the Defense Innovation Unit.
People
Charles “Tuna” MooreRetired Air Force lieutenant general and former deputy commander of U.S. Cyber Command; commented in support of the innovation center and stronger private-sector partnerships.Don BaconChair of the House Armed Services cyber subcommittee; welcomed the reported plan and commented on the potential synergy between cyber forces and Silicon Valley.Katie SuttonAssistant secretary of Defense for cyber policy; described the Cyber Innovation Warfare Center's planned role as a collaborative environment for operators and industry to test concepts and develop tools.Steve FeinbergDeputy Defense Secretary described by sources as having taken a deep interest in elevating U.S. cyber capabilities; sources said discussions between Cyber Command and the Pentagon led to the idea for a West Coast branch.
Industries
DefenseThe new outpost will initially operate from the Defense Innovation Unit and help advance the Cyber Innovation Warfare Center’s mission to speed up cyber tool development and deployment.Government“valley of death” — the time between the demonstration of a new technology and when the federal government buys it — so that such tools can be used in digital operations in a timely fashion.