Drive cyber domain mission assurance to project and sustain the Joint Force (Part 3 of 4-part series)

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (Feb. 22, 2022) – U.S. Air Force Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost, commander, U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), recently shared her priorities for the command and the Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise (JDDE). This is the third installment in a four-part series that explores the intent of each priority. 

Drive Cyber Domain Mission Assurance. Make no mistake, today malign actors pose a real and persistent threat across our networks … and our global enterprise rests in large part on the connectivity these networks provide. “Driving” mission assurance in this domain starts with everyone on our team embracing the individual responsibility to be a cyber defender, maintaining cyber discipline and vigilance as we operate every day. We will continue to adapt to the evolving cyber space domain with modernization efforts to afford us competitive advantage in the digital operating environment. Finally, our cyber defense efforts must encompass the entire JDDE, to include our industry partners, strengthening weak links while maintaining a robust menu of mitigation options.

“Warfighting readiness is TRANSCOM’s absolute cornerstone,” said Van Ovost. “The TRANSCOM cyber domain is the lifeline of our operations, and it enables our ability to apply scarce mobility resources to the nation’s highest priority missions.”

She said our adversaries know this, and they are constantly attacking our networks to degrade our operational capabilities.

“We must stay focused and continually Drive Cyber Domain Mission Assurance in our everyday operations. As the character of war changes, and technology evolves at an unprecedented pace, we are all responsible for protecting our ability to deploy, maneuver, sustain, and redeploy the Joint Force,” Van Ovost said.

She stressed maintaining TRANSCOM’s cyber domain advantage is why a culture of cyber discipline across the entire JDDE, to include our industry partners, is so critical.

“As we continue to harden and advance our cyber terrain capabilities, you can make a real difference by proactively looking for signs of compromise or unusual activity,” said Van Ovost. “Executing cybersecurity practices, assessing our efforts, and engaging with industry partners to mitigate vulnerabilities, strengthen weaknesses, and share best practices is crucial to enhancing our cyber posture.”
Van Ovost’s emphasis on this command priority is clear.

“Make no mistake, each of you is a cyber defender, and the security of our global enterprise relies on your vigilance,” she said. “Together, we deliver!”

USTRANSCOM exists as a warfighting combatant command to project and sustain military power at a time and place of the nation’s choosing. Powered by dedicated men and women, TRANSCOM underwrites the lethality of the Joint Force, advances American interests around the globe, and provides our nation's leaders with strategic flexibility to select from multiple options, while creating multiple dilemmas for our adversaries.

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