National Guard Forces in the Cyber Domain

: The National Guard has played a vital role in the defense of this nation's threats since the country's inception. Over 200 years ago, the militia helped George Washington strike a blow against the British after they forced him from New York and pursued the Continental Army across New Jersey. Today the nation faces the new challenge of how to best defend itself against cyber attacks. Just as the militia, forbearers to the National Guard, enabled George Washington's attack against Trenton, the National Guard stands ready today to work with Department of Defense (DoD) to counter the growing cyber threat. Given the challenges facing the United States to develop a comprehensive cyber strategy, the question is why and how should DoD integrate the National Guard into the national cyber forces. DoD should integrate the National Guard into the national cyber forces because of the cyber threats and the need for assistance at the state level. In addition, existing Guard cyber capabilities, Presidential, Congressional, and Department of Homeland Security mandates to protect critical infrastructure, and US Army doctrine points to full integration as the best path to seize, retain, and exploit the initiative to gain and maintain a position of relative advantage.