Pentagon to release new cyber strategy

The Pentagon will unveil a new cybersecurity strategy next week that could outline new spending initiatives and strategies to recruit high-tech experts into the military.

Eric Rosenbach, the principle cyber adviser to Defense Secretary Ash Carter, told senators about the upcoming strategy during a Senate Armed Services subcommittee on emerging threats hearing Tuesday.

{mosads}“We’re thinking about ways we can get new pipelines or tunnels of talent into the department from non-traditional places,” Rosenbach said.

The military is working to attract, train and retain top-level cyber talent, Rosenbach said, as it builds up the U.S. Cyber Command to its full level by the 2018 fiscal year.

The Defense Department plans to fill out 133 cybersecurity teams with nearly 6,200 personnel.

“This cyber workforce must include the most talented experts in both the uniformed and civilian workforce, as well as a close partnership with the private sector,” Rosenbach said.

Rosenbach thinks the Pentagon can tap the private sector for cyber experts willing to work part-time.

“There’s an important role for the National Guard and the reserve,” he said. “We want to capitalize on the expertise that folks who are in the private sector, but still want to serve their country, have.”

Rosenbach gave credit to the recently appointed Carter for leading the charge on the new cyber strategy.

Carter came into his DOD post with a resume that included a major role in reorganizing U.S. Cyber Command over the past few years.

He has since emphasized the need to bolster the department’s cyber efforts, dedicating a major speech to the issue weeks after taking office in February.