FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. –
America’s Navy rules the waves. With more than three hundred ships, the United States defends the nation’s shores, preserves global freedom of navigation, responds to crises, and conducts humanitarian operations around the globe.
These missions are large, complex, require up-to-date intelligence, and require secure communications to coordinate and execute. U.S. Fleet Cyber Command (FCC) is responsible for converging sea power with cyber power. Fleet Cyber, and its operational arm at U.S. TENTH Fleet (C10F) are responsible for maintaining warfighting superiority by projecting power in and through cyberspace, protecting information networks, and leveraging electronic warfare and signals intelligence capabilities. These missions employ state-of-the-art technology to enabe the digital fleet to maintain continuous operations in competition and conflict while raising the cost of entry for adversaries seeking to exploit Navy networks.
Established in 2010, FCC/C10F is comprised of more than 14,000 Active and Reserve Sailors and Civilians. These cyber professionals are organized into more than 90 units and commands around the globe, including 40 Cyber Mission Force units.
Protecting the Navy’s Information Network (DODIN-N)
Cyber is a full time, high stakes job. Fleet Cyber is responsible for protecting more than 750,000 end user accounts on devices like laptops and computers, roughly 75,000 network devices such as routers and servers, and 45,000 applications and systems across the Navy. In addition to protecting networks, FCC/C10F enables the Navy to communicate securely across ships, submarines, aircraft, and ashore to command and control forces, share intelligence, receive orders and coordinate actions and logistics.
Adversarial nations are continuously probing and attacking the DODIN-N for vulnerabilities – attempting to exploit networks, in order to expose America’s military and the nation to risk. Fleet Cyber and C10F aggressively monitor cyberspace for emerging threats, work to reduce vulnerabilities, and improve network security to counter these threats.
Signals Intelligence and Electromagnetic Warfare
The United States seeks to preserve its information advantage and exploit vulnerabilities in networks used by our adversaries. Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) – the art of intercepting and deciphering adversary communications – is at the heart of this mission.
These operations depend on C10F utilizing the full spectrum of the U.S. Navy’s electromagnetic warfare capabilities, to degrade or deny the adversary the ability to use the electromagnetic environment.
FCC’s heritage is deeply rooted in this capability. For example, during the Second World War, the U.S. Navy was able to anticipate Imperial Japan’s attack on Midway down to the day and time because American code breakers were able to intercept and decrypt Japanese ciphers. Operations like these continued in nearly every military operation since, and now extends into cyberspace.
Offensive and Defensive Cyberspace Operations
Cyberspace operations support traditional military operations by fortifying connectivity across Department of Defense information networks. Navy cyber conducts offensive and defensive operations across the spectrum of operations, from competition to conflict, to integrate kinetic and non-kinetic warfighting effects across the warfare domains of air, land, sea, cyber and space. These capabilities can neutralize adversaries by disabling communications, intercepting intelligence, code breaking, and supporting over-the-horizon targeting solutions. The objective of offensive and defensive operations is to deter and defeat aggressors, sense and eliminate network intruders, and isolate compromised networks so the Fleet remains ready to fight.
Every day, Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. TENTH Fleet depends on a professional force of talented Sailors, Civilians and Contractors to conduct these critical operations.