News

USIS Washington 
File

04 January 1999

TEXT: DOD SAYS JOINT TASK FORCE FOR COMPUTER SECURITY NOW READY

(JTF responsible for computer network defense at DoD) (430)



Washington -- The Department of Defense announced December 30 that its
Joint Task Force on Computer Network Defense (JTF-CND) is now
operational.


The joint task force, working in conjunction with the unified military
commands, the military services and other Department of Defense
agencies, will be responsible for the defense of DoD networks and
systems from intruders and other attacks, according to the DoD
announcement.


Following is the text of the press release:



(Begin text)



U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 30, 1998



JOINT TASK FORCE ON COMPUTER NETWORK DEFENSE NOW OPERATIONAL



The Department of Defense today officially stood up its Joint Task
Force on Computer Network Defense (JTF-CND) under the command of Air
Force Maj. Gen. John H. Campbell. Secretary of Defense William S.
Cohen approved the formation of the joint task force on Dec. 4, 1998.


Working in conjunction with the unified military commands, the
military services and other Department of Defense agencies, the joint
task force will be responsible for the defense of DoD networks and
systems from intruders and other attacks.


The JTF-CND will serve as the focal point with the Department of
Defense to organize a united effort to defend its computer networks
and systems. It will monitor incidents and potential threats to DoD
systems; it will also establish links with other federal agencies
through the National Infrastructure Protection Center to share
information on activities across the information infrastructure. When
attacks are detected, the JTF will be responsible for directing
DoD-wide recovery actions to stop or contain damage and restore
network functions to DoD operations.


Defense exercises and real world events in 1997 and in early 1998
demonstrated the need for an organization within the Department to
coordinate its defensive activities and to have the authority to
direct the necessary actions for that defense. Cohen directed the
creation of a joint task force to provide the necessary operational
authority consistent with accepted joint doctrine.


The JTF-CND will report through the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff to Cohen since the joint task force is not currently assigned to
a unified command.


The JTF-CND will be located at and supported by the Defense
Information Systems Agency to take full advantage of the existing
operational computer network capabilities of DISA's Global Operations
and Security Center, the Military Services, and DoD agencies.


For additional details, contact JTF-CND Public Affairs Office at (703)
607-6900.


(End text)