Marine Corps Reserve Activates Defensive Cyberspace Operations Companies
NEW ORLEANS (June 12, 2020) — The Marine Corps Reserve stands ready for cyberspace operations with a highly skilled and formidable defensive team with reserve members working in technology firms, major banks, and many other private sector companies.
The Defensive Cyber Operations Company (DCO) is part of a broader information environment spanning many domains, operations, and related capabilities such as computer network attack, electronic warfare, and information operations. These Marines support the Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (MIG), Marine component headquarters, and/or a Combined/Joint Task Force headquarters (C/JTF HQ) to enable and enhance the warfighting abilities of a Commander.
As cyberspace threats evolve, the battle is always in real-time. Reserve Marines, experts in their field in the private sector, add an immense depth of experience, certifications, and education to the total force.
“Seeing this unit grow from an idea into reality has been amazing to watch,” said Brig. Gen. Mark Hashimoto, Commanding General, Force Headquarters Group. “The reserve DCO companies will be a force multiplier as we augment and reinforce the Fleet Marine Force.”
Hashimoto also praised those behind this effort, “When future generations of Marines not yet born walk into the McCarthy Building and read the lineage of Marine Forces Reserve, they might see a list of wars, campaigns, and battles decided in the information environment. These future Marines will be well served to know that the work of visionaries — Colonel Jeffrey Lipson and his team, were instrumental in seeding our first reserve DCO companies with impressive industry talent, thus laying the groundwork for MARFORRES to provide such highly capable forces when it was needed most.”
The Cyber Reserve unit has two companies, one on the West Coast, Company A, led by Maj. Robert McCartney, and one on the East Coast, Company B, led by Maj. Dan Heywood.
The Marines of the DCO companies can expect to focus on training and operations in three mission assurance actions: Protect and defend against anticipated attacks using appropriate response actions; hunt for advanced threats; respond and recover from cyber-attacks.
“I’m thrilled to be starting this amazing effort on behalf of the Marines Corps Reserve, said Heywood, Commander, Company B, located in Ayer, Massachusetts. “I’ve been involved in this line of work for many years, and to be able to take my skills in cybersecurity and blend leadership of Marines together, it’s a dream come true.”
“When I started working in Silicon Valley, I didn’t know paths would cross with my Marine Corps career,” stated McCartney, Commander, Company A, based in Concord, California. “Taking command, and utilizing my knowledge and skills learned from the civilian world to lead Marines is a unique opportunity. I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”
Teammates with varied backgrounds and capabilities are filling the ranks of the DCO companies, data scientist, penetration tester, forensic investigator, malware analyst, security architect, incident responder, and many more.
Interested to learn more? Visit the DCO webpages and contact a Marine Forces Reserve representative if you are interested in joining the cyber companies. DCO teams are primarily comprised of warriors, cyber security professionals, innovators, and information technology experts.
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