Top Cyber Warrior Approved

The Senate on May 7 confirmed the nomination of Army Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander to receive a fourth star and take charge of US Cyber Command, the nascent organization that will lead efforts to protect the US military’s cyber network and attack an adversary through that network, if necessary. A subordinate unit of US Strategic Command, CYBERCOM will reside at Ft. Meade, Md., already home to the National Security Agency, which Alexander has led since August 2005. He will remain at NSA’s helm in addition to his new post. Pentagon spokeswoman Lt. Col. Rene White told the Daily Report Tuesday that Alexander’s promotion ceremony and assumption of command are expected by the end of May, followed by CYBERCOM assuming initial operations. The organization is slated to commence full operations in October, she said. President Obama nominated Alexander for this post last October.