Cyber operators from U.S. Cyber Command’s Cyber National Mission Force recently returned from the command’s first-ever defensive cyber deployment to Zambia, bringing back strengthened collaborative ties with the partner and actionable insights to harden Zambian and U.S. networks.

Ten years ago, on Jan. 17, 2014, the Cyber National Mission Force was activated as a subordinate unit to U.S. Cyber Command with a mission to plan, direct and synchronize cyberspace operations to deter, deny, and if necessary, defeat adversary cyber actors in order to Defend the Nation.

During a change of command ceremony at U.S. Cyber Command Headquarters on Friday, January 5, 2024, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William J. Hartman relinquished command of the Cyber National Mission Force to U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Lorna Mahlock. A change of command is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit from one commanding or flag officer to another. The passing of colors, standards, or ensigns for, an outgoing commander to an incoming one ensures that the unit and its service members are never without official leadership, a continuation of trust, and also signifies an allegiance of service members to their unit’s commander.

U.S. Cyber Command’s Cyber National Mission Force, alongside interagency and foreign partners, issued a joint Cybersecurity Advisory highlighting advanced spear-phishing campaigns from Russia-based malicious cyber actors