MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Virginia— Marine Corps Systems Command is tackling cyber acquisition head-on with enhanced oversight and governance, and new streamlined processes to better respond to the needs of the force.
The command’s cyber acquisition experts are working with the Marine Corps Cyber Task Force as it creates courses of action to address manpower, organizational, acquisition and other challenges for cyberspace operations. This update to the Corps’ approach to cyber warfare is in response to the Commandant’s vision to modernize offensive and defensive cyber operations in a volatile and complex operating environment.
Established in 2015 by MCSC Commander Brig. Gen. Joseph Shrader, the Cyber Acquisition Team is tasked with developing a rapid cyber acquisition process to address urgent and emergency cyber requirements.
“The Marine Corps is placing a strong emphasis on improving management of our cyber operating environment,” said Harry Oldland, director of systems engineering and integration, and CAT team lead. “Our immediate role as the systems command of the Marine Corps is to provide that focused pursuit of accelerants to IT and cyberspace system acquisition to address critical requirements of today and tomorrow.”
The CAT will lead acquisition and fielding efforts for emergency requirements (less than 30 calendar days from statement of need to fielding) and assist program management offices, as needed, with urgent cyber requirements (30-180 calendar days from statement of need to fielding).
“The tailored rapid cyber acquisition process still conforms to all of the key activities associated with the traditional acquisition model,” Oldland said. “The primary key to successfully implement this process, compared to the traditional acquisition process, is accelerating the review and approval times for the required paperwork.”
The end goal is to provide speed to the Corps’ cyber warfighting capability while maintaining the discipline necessary for a unified, standardized and configuration-controlled Marine Corps Enterprise Network. These improvements will provide more responsive and effective support to the operational force.
Among other duties, Marine Corps Systems Command oversees the development and acquisition of all Marine Corps ground weapon and information technology systems.