In the event of a national emergency, the Pentagon is seeking to employ 3,000 cyber pros in the event of a network emergency affecting American lives.

Defense Principal Cyber Adviser Eric Rosenbach said the “surge forces” will be trained by the Defense Department and help defend the energy sector, telecommunications and other so-called critical infrastructure. “Up to 2,000 Reserve and National Guard personnel will also support the Cyber Mission Force.”

Lawmakers and advisory councils want to see a civilian cyber militia to augment the government’s own cyber teams.

Rosenbach said more than 100 foreign intelligence agencies “continually attempt” to infiltrate U.S. military networks… “some incursions — by both state and nonstate entities — have succeeded.”

As a whole, the DOD wants to add 3,000 cyber techs to its arsenal to bring the total dedicated force to 6,200 military and civilian personnel.

The DOD is looking to the private sector to make recommendations for incentives to bring more cyber experts into the fold.

Source: DefenseOne