23-04-09 US military prepares for cyber command: official

Washington:The US administration is planning to create a new military command to counter cyber attacks on the country's sensitive computer networks,a US defense official said on Wednesday.The move would be part of a planned overhaul of cyber security policies now being weighed by the White House,the official,who spoke on condition of anonymity,told AFP.The "cyber command" would likely fall under the US Strategic Command,which already leads efforts within the military to safeguard computer networks from hackers and cyber attacks,the official said,confirming media reports.The "cyber command" would likely fall under the US Strategic Command, which already leads efforts within the military to safeguard computer networks from hackers and cyber attacks,the official said,confirming media reports.Plans to reorganize the US government's approach to information technology security come amid a growing threat of cyber spying and attacks,including a breach reportedly of the US electricity grid and of the F-35 fighter jet program.The cyber security command would likely be led by a three-star military officer,though at one point officials weighed creating a higher level combatant command under a four-star officer,the official said