Senate defense bill creates deadline for DOD to elevate Cyber Command

The Senate’s version of the fiscal 2018 National Defense Authorization Act -- on the floor today -- establishes an explicit timeline for the Defense Department to elevate U.S. Cyber Command into a fully operational combatant command, according to congressional sources, building upon the fiscal 2017 measure requiring the administration to begin the elevation of CYBERCOM.

The 2018 NDAA measure -- which incorporates Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain’s (R-AZ) long-awaited cybersecurity strategy and doctrine -- heads to the Senate...