Raytheon’s Bill Leigher: Cybercom Elevation Would Help Establish Cyber as Mainstream Military Skill

Bill Leigher, director of Raytheon‘s government cyber solutions, has said the elevation of the U.S. Cyber Command to a unified combatant command is “a key step” in establishing cyber as a mainstream tactical military skill.

President Donald Trump ordered the transition of Cybercom to a unified combatant command on Friday and the Defense Department has taken steps to begin the process.

Leigher stated in a press release posted Friday that the new unified combatant command will optimize U.S. cyberspace operations and open opportunities to strengthen national defense.

“The elevation of [Cybercom] demonstrates our increased resolve against cyberspace threats and will help reassure  our allies and partners and deter our adversaries,” Leigher noted.

The move will also help deliver “scalable and usable” cyber weapons to soldiers on the front lines, according to Leigher.

Trump said Defense Secretary James Mattis will provide recommendations on the separation of Cybercom from the National Security Agency.