Cyber Roundup: Companies Open Offices Near Fort Meade

Earlier this month, I wrote about the U.S. Cyber Command and its in the next few years. As the agency starts to take shape there, cyber security has become a bigger topic in the media, so it seems like a good time to launch a periodic roundup of news relating to the issue.

Contractors Set Up Shop

The Washington Post reported last week that contractors are creating cyber-focused work centers in the Fort Meade area, with some even setting up complex networks that link several centers to one another.

“As federal spending tightens, contractors are increasingly looking to cyber security to provide a growth market,” the Post said.

The Post report had one particularly eye-opening tidbit, which is that General Dynamics reaps $2 billion annually from cyber-related work.

ExecutiveBiz reported that General Dynamics opened a new 28,000 square-foot cyber facility at Annapolis Junction, and will employ about 100 people there.

Attack, Not Just Defend

Information Week reported on the annual defense budget passed in December, and took note of the emphasis placed on cyber capabilities.  In particular, the site contends, the government doesn’t seem shy about the possibility of using U.S. Cyber Command to carry out attacks as well as defend against them.

“The military has long been interested in developing offensive cyber capabilities, but has rarely been open about it in public,” Information Week wrote. “In recent months, however, that's begun to change.”

New Leader at Homeland Cyber

Government Security News reported on leadership changes in the cybersecurity arm of the Department of Homeland Security. Rear Adm. Mike Brown retired from his position as the deputy assistant secretary for cyber security and communications. He was replaced by John Streufert.

Billions Expected

Eurasia Review posted a recent article citing several figures on the size and impact of U.S. Cyber Command. The website says the government will spend $10.5 billion for cyber security by 2015, and that U.S. Cyber Command will have a staff of 10,000. The site quotes one executive as saying the market for cyber security will top $100 billion.

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