The view from the bridge of Coast Guard Cyber Command (CGCYBER) is superb and great things are on the horizon! It is certainly an exciting time to be in the Coast Guard and aboard CGCYBER. We will celebrate our 10th birthday this July, and it is remarkable how far the command has matured during its first decade. The cyber threats facing the Coast Guard, maritime facilities and vessels, and our nation in general are highly dynamic and wide-ranging. Teamwork in this domain is critical to addressing the vulnerabilities. Ransomware, malware, and supply chain compromises are all concerns in the maritime domain. Cyber threats transcend international borders and the boundaries between critical infrastructure sectors. Malicious cyber actors range from criminal ransomware groups working for profit to nation state actors looking to disrupt our economic and national security. In August 2021, our Commandant signed the Cyber Strategic Outlook and charged CGCYBER with three lines of effort: (1) defend and operate the Enterprise Mission Platform (our portion of the DoD Information Network); (2) protect the Marine Transportation System (MTS); and (3) operate in and through cyberspace. Coast Guard reservists are supporting all priorities and providing fresh perspectives, given many of their civilian job backgrounds. Line of effort number two tends to receive the most amount of attention, and deservedly so. The MTS supports $5.4 trillion in annual American economic activity. Recognizing the importance of the MTS, the Coast Guard is approaching maritime cybersecurity risks under the same operational paradigms of prevention and response that have served us well in the physical domains. To prevent cybersecurity incidents, we are working with port partners through our established relationships at our operational field commands to implement cybersecurity plans, share threat intelligence, and conduct preventative assessments to harden against vulnerabilities. To respond to cybersecurity incidents, CGCYBER has established a Maritime Cyber Readiness Branch as a touchpoint for Sectors and Marine Safety Units to assess cybersecurity incidents and recommend response actions based on the overall MTS cyber threat picture. And finally, CGCYBER has three active-duty Cyber Protection Teams. They are trained to DoD standards, deploy in support of our sector commanders to assess port cybersecurity, and stand ready to respond after a cybersecurity incident. In support of these efforts, the Commandant has approved three new Reserve cyber initiatives: • First, Reserve cyber advisors will be assigned to each Captain of the Port location. These subject matter experts will work alongside civilian Area, District, and Sector MTS cyber specialists to advise the Sector Commander and local partners on cyber issues. The targeted rank structure is still being finalized; however, we are looking for reservists with the right skillset within the E-5 to O-3 ranks. • Second, the establishment of the 1941 CPT has been authorized. This CPT, named deliberately to pay tribute to the contributions of the Reserve, will mirror our active duty CPTs and be made available to support assess, hunt, and incident response missions. Lt. Nate Toll, the former active duty team lead of the 2013 CPT, has assumed leadership and will guide the build out of 1941 CPT. • Finally, the Commandant authorized the creation of a Reserve Unit assigned to directly support U.S. Cyber Command. All told, CGCYBER will accommodate the assignment of over 160 reservists who will contribute to our critical missions! To accomplish these operational priorities, Coast Guard leadership is investing in the cyber workforce. As I write this article, we are reviewing reservists’ applications for a change in rating to Cyber Mission Specialist. This effort complements what has already happened in the active duty workforce. Additionally, chief warrant officers are applying for the new Cyber Mission Manager specialty. Along with our active duty, civilian, and burgeoning Auxiliary cyber teams, our Reserve team is a vital component of our dedicated cyber workforce. The recent growth and opportunities for Reserve service in CGCYBER are impressive, and we need more talented reservists with a cyber, intelligence, or information technology background. Come join us! Semper Paratus. RESERVIST MAGAZINE THE VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE "The recent growth and opportunities for Reserve service in CGCYBER are impressive, and we need more talented reservists with a cyber, intelligence, or information technology background." Rear Admiral Jay Vann Commander, Coast Guard Cyber Command 6 ReseRvist . Issue 1 • 2023
