Army National Guard (ARNG) officials announced the location plan for the first three of 10 new cyber protection teams (CPTs) to be established over the next three fiscal years, the National Guard Bureau said on Tuesday.
The first three CPTs are set to be activated in FY ’16 and hosted in five states. The first team will be hosted by Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. The second will be hosted by Georgia and the third team will be hosted by California.
Image: Army Cyber Command
“This is a significant step helping to boost state and federal cyber defense capabilities. It reflects the tremendous momentum well under way across the Army to organize, train and equip cyberspace operations forces,” Maj. Gen. Judd Lyons, acting director of the Army National Guard, said in a statement.
Soldiers assigned to the CPTs will train and operate on a traditional part-time basis in support of their states’ National Guard and governors. The CPT soldiers will receive specialized cyber training to qualify as Army Cyber Soldiers. The cyber courses can last 4-12 months and are academically challenging, the National Guard Bureau said.
When mobilized for federal active duty, the teams are to provide surge support to Army Cyber Command and support defensive cyberspace operations as assigned.
The process for determining the stationing plan involved a review and evaluation of 32 nomination packets from 45 states, territories, and the District of Columbia seeking consideration as one of the team locations.
A 12-member adviser committee, consisting of representatives from state and territory advisory committees, reviews and evaluated the packets. The committee was led by an independent general officer, the National Guard said.
The ARNG plans to establish four more CPTs in FY ’17 and the final three in FY ’18.
“Citizen Soldiers are already an essential part of the Total Army, so these cyber professionals, many of whom bring private sector experience, will enhance the Army’s cyberspace capabilities and capacities,” Lt. Gen. Edward Cardon, commanding general of the U.S. Army Cyber Command at Fort Belvoir, Va., said.
The ARNG has one full-time CPT established under federal control. It is attached to and training at Army Cyber Command in preparation of future missions. This CPT was established in FY ’14 and consists of soldiers from 19 states and two territories.
The Stationing plan for the remaining seven CPTs is to be announced at a later date.
There are no further plans to expand the CPT program beyond the 11 approved.