Future of the Signal Corporation - Research Paper Example

Future of the Signal Corp Signal soldiers’ services are critical at all levels of operations of the army. In 2011, the chief of signal cleared several reforms in the Signal regiment to provide efficient, lean and strategic planning of military services through integration of modern technology1. Advancing to efficient and secure network systems is fundamental in executing the roles of the U.S. signal soldiers. Secure communications during operations is imperative for the success in every mission. Innovative communications security approaches are important in enhancing signal soldiers’ operations during missions. However, implementation of the cyber offensive, defensive and network management remains a challenge to the department of defense. To support future force structure, there are fundamental strategies that the department of defense must set. Recognition of technological changes is important for successful implementation of the transformations. Signal soldiers should undertake their missions while considering the global arena’s upcoming technological challenges. The department of defense should adopt strategies that support successful implementation of the cyber offensive, defensive and network management. Adopted strategies should support reforms in accordance with the advancemnets in technology. Signal soldiers’ commanders should strive to attain six notable goals in the effort to adopt the requirements of micro-cyber transformation. First, there must be reforms in the operations of signal regiment. Second, there is necessity to upgrade the technological equipment applied in the operations of signal regiments. Third, it is highly recommendable that there should be a change in the level of support provided to the signal regiment. Fourth, it is recommendable to update the process adopted in the purchase of necessary equipment. Modernization of the approach to training signal soldiers is the fifth concern. It is also recommendable to reduce the number of signal military specialization. Reforms should include combining signal soldiers from diverse occupational specialties to render them capable to undertake challenging missions while retaining the number. Signal soldiers should attain high level of competence in responding to demanding mission situations2. Implementation of the cyber offensive, defensive, and network management necessitates the establishment of tactical operations centers. Establishment of centers is significant to ensure successful mission command. Tactical operations center is important to enhance successful systems validation and coordination of mission command. Training centers are essential in sensitization of signal soldiers of potential cyber threats that may hinder successful execution of their missions. Training centers are also important to sensitize soldiers on how to survive in cases of cyber attacks. Should cyber attacks threaten the network of signal soldiers, they shall have knowledge on how to respond to the situation. Trainers and army cyber commanders sensitize signal soldiers on survival in case of total failure of the entire communication system or in the absence of networks. Training at the center would advance signal soldiers’ knowledge on how they respond to and work without networks at accessible range. Successful implementation of the cyber offensive, defensive and network management requires suitable training of signal soldiers on how best to ensure protection of sensitive networks during their missions. The capability to secure and protect sensitive networks during missions is a vital success factor for signal soldiers during their missions. Knowledge on proper response mechanism is important to enhance soldiers’ success during missions. Training also focuses on enhanced cooperation between the intelligence and signal soldiers’ staffs to attend to any upcoming or arising threats during missions. Incorporating the role of intelligence and operations officers in enhancing the role of signal soldiers is important for the implementation of the cyber offensive, defensive and network management. Successful implementation of the cyber offensive, defensive and network management requires signal army commanders to incorporate future trends in their training sessions. The implications of technological advancements on the mission of signal soldiers are a vital success factor to incorporate in training of signal soldiers. Addressing any shortfall in the current system of training is imperative. Successful implementation also requires reforms in the signal regiment strategy of human capital. This includes requirement of officers holding high technical qualifications. Recruitment requirement for key enlisted leaders would include a bachelor degree. High technical competence would enhance complement enlisted military signal soldiers’ level of understanding the implementation of the cyber offensive, defensive, and network management. Restructuring the human capital strategy of signal soldiers is important for successful implementation. There is necessity for strategies to advance the mission command application data on the infrastructure used by signal commanders. This would ensure successful implementation of the cyber offensive, defensive, and network management. The signal’s mission while using the application requires high connectivity that necessitates proper installation, operation and high user-level troubleshooting. This is achievable through proper training of signal soldiers on the use of the application data. Strategies should have clear outlines of the new responsibilities in the mission structure adopted by signal soldiers. Vital lines of responsibilities in the role of signal soldiers should be clear to ensure successful missions. There should be a clear and proper outline on how best to synchronize the operations of signal soldiers and mission commands. The two must coordinate to ensure efficient functioning of the new cyber offensive, defensive, and network management. Awareness of current and rising solutions that enhance training and preparedness of signal soldiers is imperative for successful implementation of the network management. It is a prerequisite for the operations of the technology applied by the army in networking. Successful implementation of the network management would require the setting up of online help for signal soldiers while on their mission. Online communities that support signal operations by providing guidance are important. Online communities are essential in providing information to army officers, which is imperative for flawless coordination among soldiers while in their mission. Soldiers should undergo training on the use of online signals. Sharing of experiences through online communities further advances soldiers’ competence in operating signal networks. Signal soldiers, through online communities can share experiences and challenges in the implementation of the network management. Sharing of experiences should take place in a collaborative environment. Information available through online communities should be current and relevant to the roles of the army. Signal soldiers’ operations require updated and current information to ensure successful implementation of the data management. Online communities are also relevant in providing information throughout the chain of command in the army. Successful implementation of cyber management in the operations of the army requires innovative initiatives. Initiatives should include personnel processes to enhance competence. Additional skill recognition and talent management are among the applicable personnel processes. The cyber command unit should constitute highly talented and motivated individuals to execute the demanding roles. Staffing for cyber warfare should be adequate. Cyber command must advance to gain broad understanding of the cyber battle space. The space must be suitable for military command and control3. Cyber command should utilize the full potential of thee space to enhance the duties of signal soldiers. With heightened cyberspace security and tactical operations during missions, signal soldiers can ensure efficient coordination of roles. Focus on situational awareness is imperative for successful implementation of the cyber offensive, defensive. Coordination with combat commanders is also important. The department of defense should set up strategies to promote situational awareness across all its networks. The army must work closely with vital infrastructure providers to boost network security. Signal regiments support different army operations. Equipping signal soldiers to execute their roles in an efficient way that would provide information at all levels is imperative. Reforms and transformations in the signal regiment, therefore, are justifiable. Transformations would reduce the number of signal soldiers and allow the use of sophisticated gadgets that are efficient during army missions in the future. Transformations also address the various challenges faced by the signal regiment in ensuring efficient future operations of the army. Works Cited Department of the Army. Army Communicator: Microcyber. The new Signal Regiment 36.3 (2011): 1-52. Print. Beardsley, Stephen. Army training centres incorporating cyberthreats into exercises at brigade level. Stars and Stripes. Web. Accessed 22. Nov.2013. < http://www.stripes.com/news/army-training-centers-incorporating-cyberthreats-into-exercises-at-brigade-level-1.194941> Pellerin, Cheryl. Cyber Command Adapts to Understand Cyber Battlespace. U.S. Department of Defence. Web. Accessed 22. Nov. 2013. < http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=119470 > Read More