Warfare-Cyber Convergence a Major Challenge for the US Army

Network Convergence is one of the US Army's biggest challenges.. As evidence, look no further than the decision to disband its electronic warfare division, which will fold into a newly established cyber directorate at the Pentagon within the Army.  “We need to be aware that we are very likely going to fight an adversary that is converging using [cyber and electromagnetic activity] integration, ISR and fires across full spectrum conflict,” said Col Timothy Presby, Training and Doctrine Command capabilities manager of cyber, at TechNet Augusta earlier in August. “So unless we actually work together and converge our capabilities, we will be left short.” Many current and former Army officials believe the convergence and new cyber directorate are a good step. Creating the new cyber directorate and keeping it within the G-3 is “absolutely” a good idea, Gen. Jennifer Napper (ret.) told C4ISRNET in an interview.  “The fact of the matter is, it all works together or contests each other and interferes with each other so you have to have it all in one area,” said Napper, who formerly served as the director of policy, plans and partnerships for the Cyber Command and commander of the Army’s Network Enterprise Technology Command. Will this effort truly strengthen the US Army's cyber-warfare capabilities? Share your comments with the Cloud and Cyber Security Center.