FORT BELVOIR, Va. - Leaders of the Army National Guard and U.S. Army Cyber Command signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday establishing a commitment toward a total force solution in cyberspace protection.
Signed by Army Maj. Gen. Judd H. Lyons, acting director of the Army Guard, and Army Lt. Gen. Edward C. Cardon, commander of ARCYBER, the memorandum also aligns the Army Guard's 1636th Cyber Protection Team under the command and control of ARCYBER.
"The MOU represents ... a milestone in integrating the reserve components into cyber space operations," Lyons said. "It's an important first step in the Army Guard's efforts to establish additional cyber protection teams as part of Army Cyber's efforts and we're committed to being a full partner in the total force solutions.
"Bringing the Army National Guard into this effort expands the capacity of the nation to respond."
This is just the first part in what is hoped to become a total force effort in cyberspace.
"This is really the first step of 11 total [cyber protection teams] from the Army National Guard and what we have today is a great start that will evolve over time," said Cardon. "We will continue to grow together as we develop defensive cyber space operations, for not just the Army, but the joint force and the nation."
Lyons added that Army Guard Soldiers are perfectly equipped to develop those solutions and he looks forward to the lasting partnership.
"When you look at the civilian skill sets of our Army National Guard members, leveraging those skill sets makes perfect sense," he said. "We're committed to being a full partner in the Army's total force solutions to cyber and we really recognize the complexity and the significance of developing cyber forces and we stand ready to assist."