U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace (MARFORCYBER)

The Secretary of Defense recognized the significance of the cyberspace domain to national security, and directed the establishment of CYBERCOM as a sub-unified command under STRATCOM. CYBERCOM’s primary objective is to integrate the cyberspace operations capabilities of the services and agencies in support of the National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace (NSSC).

In response, the Marine Corps established MARFORCYBER in October 2009 (this was complemented by the standing up of the Navy’s U.S. Tenth Fleet/Fleet CYBERCOM, Army Cyberspace Command (ARCYBER), and Air Force Cyberspace Command (AFCYBER). MARFORCYBER’s mission, in addition to our standard service component responsibilities, is to: plan, coordinate, integrate, synchronize, and direct our Corps’ full spectrum of cyberspace operations. This includes Department of Defense (DoD) Information Network (DoDIN) operations, Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO), and planning and executing Offensive Cyberspace Operations (OCO). These operations support MAGTF, Joint and combined cyberspace requirements that enable freedom of action across all warfighting domains and deny the same to adversarial forces.

MARFORCYBER Subordinate Units

MARINE CORPS NETWORK OPERATIONS AND SECURITY CENTER (MCNOSC)

The MCNOSC’s mission is to direct global Network Operations (NETOPS) and computer network defense of the Marine Corps Enterprise Network (MCEN) and to provide technical leadership in support of Marine and joint forces operating worldwide. The MCNOSC is also responsible for intelligence gathering and analysis to develop future capabilities planning in accordance with DCO.

The MCNOSC is the Computer Network Defense Service Provider (CNDSP) and serves as our Corps’ Global Network Operations and Security Center (GNOSC). The MCNOSC provides 24/7 NETOPS C2 through its Operations Center. Under the OPCON of MARFORCYBER, the MCNOSC executes our Information NETOPS and DCO in support of our operational requirements in order to enhance freedom of action across all warfighting domains, while denying the efforts of adversaries to degrade or disrupt this advantage through cyberspace.

Key MCNOSC tasks include:

• operating and defending the MCEN

• collecting and sharing DoDIN Situational Awareness

• reporting and directing actions that proactively address threats and vulnerabilities

• responding to operational incidents

• providing technical leadership to ensure that our Corps and joint capabilities leverage new technologies to the advantage of the Marine warfighter

COMPANY L, MARINE CRYPTOLOGIC SUPPORT BATTALION (MCSB)

Company L is assigned under the OPCON of MARFORCYBER, and their mission is to plan and conduct offensive cyberspace operations in support of Service, Joint and combined cyberspace requirements. Company L may also provide support to defensive cyberspace operations (when directed).