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Marine Corps Cyberspace Command

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Role
  
Cyber operations

Part of
  
U.S. Cyber Command

Marine Corps Cyberspace Command

Active
  
January 21, 2010 – present

Country
  
United States of America

Branch
  
United States Marine Corps

Garrison/HQ
  
Fort Meade, Maryland, U.S.

The U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command (abbreviated as MARFORCYBER) is a functional formation of the United States Marine Corps to protect critical infrastructure from cyberattack. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command is the Marine Corps component to U.S. Cyber Command. It comprises a command element, the Marine Corps Cyber Operations Group, and a company from the Marine Corps Cryptologic Support Battalion (MCSB), a total of approximately 800 personnel. MARFORCYBER was established on January 21, 2010 under the command of LtGen George J. Flynn, and as of September 8, 2015, it is commanded by MGen Loretta E. Reynolds.

Contents

Overview

The Secretary of Defense recognized the significance of the cyberspace domain to national security, and directed the establishment of CYBERCOM as a sub-unified command under STRATCOM. CYBERCOM's primary objective is to integrate the cyberspace operations capabilities of the services and agencies in support of the National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace (NSSC).

In response, the Marine Corps established MARFORCYBER in October 2009 (this was complemented by the standing up of the Fleet Cyber Command, U.S. Army Cyberspace Command (ARCYBER), and Air Force Cyberspace Command (AFCYBER). MARFORCYBER's mission, in addition to its standard service component responsibilities, is to: plan, coordinate, integrate, synchronize, and direct the Corps' full spectrum of cyberspace operations. This includes Department of Defense (DoD) Information Network (DoDIN) operations, Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO), and planning and, when required, executing Offensive Cyberspace Operations (OCO). These operations support MAGTF, Joint and combined cyberspace requirements that enable freedom of action across all warfighting domains and deny the same to adversarial forces.

Mission

The Marine Corps Cyber Operations Group

MCCOG directs global Network Operations (NETOPS) and computer network defense of the Marine Corps Enterprise Network (MCEN) and to provide technical leadership in support of Marine and joint forces operating worldwide. The MCCOG is also responsible for intelligence gathering and analysis to develop future capabilities planning in accordance with DCO.

The MCCOG is the Computer Network Defense Service Provider (CNDSP) and serves as the Corps' Global Network Operations and Security Center (GNOSC). The MCCOG provides 24/7 NETOPS C2 through its Operations Center. Under the OPCON (operational command) of MARFORCYBER, the MCCOG executes our Information NETOPS and DCO in support of our operational requirements in order to enhance freedom of action across all warfighting domains, while denying the efforts of adversaries to degrade or disrupt this advantage through cyberspace.

Key MCCOG tasks include:

  • operating and defending the MCEN
  • collecting and sharing DoDIN Situational Awareness
  • reporting and directing actions that proactively address threats and vulnerabilities
  • responding to operational incidents
  • providing technical leadership to ensure that our Corps and joint capabilities leverage new technologies to the advantage of the Marine warfighter
  • Marine Corps Cyberspace Warfare Group (MCCYWG)

    The Marine Corps Cyber Warfare Group

    MCCYWG is an administrative headquarters that organizes, trains, equips, provides administrative support, manages readiness of assigned forces, and recommends certification and presentation of Cyber Mission Force (CMF) Teams to U.S. Cyber Command.

    Key MCCYWG tasks include:

  • Conduct personnel management to organize and assign individuals to work roles and place them in work centers to ensure operational readiness of CMF Teams
  • Ensure all personnel are trained in accordance with USCYBERCOM Joint Cyberspace Training and Certification Standards and equipped to perform all duties and tasks outlined in the MARFORCYBER Mission Essential Task List (METL)
  • Advise COMMARFORCYBER on force employment considerations
  • Provide subject matter expertise for operational planning requirements
  • References

    Marine Corps Cyberspace Command Wikipedia