USCYBERCOM's Lack of COCOM Authority: Examining Command Authority and C2 Structure within the DODIN
Abstract
Upon establishing USCYBERCOM, the Secretary of Defense and senior military leaders violated the doctrinal tenets of establishing a joint force command and command and control (C2). CDRUSCYBERCOM, as a joint force commander, was not delegated or assigned any combatant command (COCOM) authorities over the federal agencies and Services which own portions of the DODIN. The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) owns and operates the DODIN's backbone while the Service Chiefs own their respective portions of the network which is extended from garrison to the tactical environment through DISA in support of the geographic combatant commands (GCC). USCYBERCOM needs to be elevated to a full unified combatant command (CCMD) with specific COCOM authorities. Title 10 must be amended providing CDRUSCYBERCOM with the overall authority, direction, and control over DoD cyberspace operations along with acquisition authorities similar to US Special Operations Command. That commander should have a direct relationship with the DoD Chief Information Officer (CIO)and provide dedicated support in exercising the DoD CIO's Title 40 and 44 authorities for information technology acquisition and information resource management. Lastly, DISA should no longer report directly to the DoD CIO and be under CDRUSCYBERCOM's COCOM authority.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 27, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1175996
Entities
People
- Atiim O. Phillips
Organizations
- Marine Corps University