Marine Corps Cyberspace Command

U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command
Emblem of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command
Active	January 21, 2010 – present
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Role	Cyber operations
Part of	U.S. Cyber Command
Garrison/HQ	Fort Meade, Maryland, U.S.
Nickname(s)	"MARFORCYBER"
Commanders
Current commander	Major General Loretta E. Reynolds
Notable commanders	Lieutenant General George J. Flynn

The U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command (abbreviated as MARFORCYBER^[1]) is a functional formation of the United States Marine Corps to protect critical infrastructure from cyberattack. ^[2] 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.^[3] MARFORCYBER was established on January 21, 2010 under the command of LtGen George J. Flynn,^[4] and as of September 8, 2015, it is commanded by MGen Loretta E. Reynolds.^[5]

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).^[6]

In response, the Marine Corps established MARFORCYBER^[7] 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)^[8] 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 MCCOG's^[9] mission is to direct global Network Operations (NETOPS) and computer network defense of the Marine Corps Enterprise Network (MCEN)^[10] 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)^[11] 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^[10]
• 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

Company L^[12] is assigned under the OPCON of MARFORCYBER, and their mission is to plan and conduct offensive cyberspace operations in support of Service, Joint and combined cyberspace requirements. Company L may also provide support to defensive cyberspace operations (when directed).

References