U.S. Coast Guard Cyber Operations: The Forgotten Maritime Cyber Force

Security Careers

12 Aug 2025 — 9 min read

Overview

The U.S. Coast Guard, while often overlooked in military cyber discussions, operates one of the most unique and critical cyber missions in the federal government. As the only armed service under the Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard protects the $5.4 trillion Marine Transportation System (MTS) that represents approximately 25% of U.S. annual GDP and handles 90% of U.S. trade. Their cyber operations blend traditional military cyber capabilities with law enforcement authorities and critical infrastructure protection.

Coast Guard Cyber Command (CGCYBER)

Command Structure

Official Name: U.S. Coast Guard Cyber Command (CGCYBER)
Dual-Hatted Leadership: Commander serves as both CGCYBER Commander and Assistant Commandant for Command, Control, Communications, Computers & Information Technology (CG-6)
Parent Department: Department of Homeland Security (unique among armed services)
Headquarters: Washington, D.C.

Three Primary Missions

Defend Coast Guard Cyberspace: Operate and defend the Coast Guard's portion of the Department of Defense Information Network (DODIN)
Protect Maritime Transportation System (MTS): Secure the nation's ports, shipping lanes, and waterways from cyber threats
Enable Cyber Operations: Conduct cyberspace operations supporting Coast Guard missions at sea, air, land, and space

Active Duty Cyber Protection Teams (CPTs)

Current Active Duty Units

1790 Cyber Protection Team (CPT) - First operational cyber unit, established 2017
2013 Cyber Protection Team (CPT) - Second active duty cyber unit
2003 Cyber Protection Team (CPT) - Third unit, established August 1, 2023, at Coast Guard Island, Alameda, California

CPT Mission and Capabilities

Personnel: 39 active duty, reserve, and civilian personnel per team
Primary Mission: Enhance MTS critical infrastructure resilience against cyber disruption
Core Capabilities: Assess, Hunt, Clear, and Harden
Deployment: Worldwide deployment capability for cyber operations
Training Standard: Joint standards of the Department of Defense cyber mission force
Interoperability: Fully compatible with other services' cyber mission force teams and DHS cybersecurity operations

Geographic Coverage

Base Locations: Washington, D.C. area (primary)
Operational Areas: All U.S. ports, maritime facilities, and waterways
Deployable: Global reach for maritime cyber incidents

Reserve Cyber Forces

Recently Established Reserve Units (October 18, 2024)

Coast Guard Reserve Unit (CGRU) U.S. Cyber Command
- Commander: Captain Ronzelle L. Green
- Personnel: 15 billets initially
- Location: Primarily operates from Fort Meade, Maryland
- Mission: Support U.S. Cyber Command joint directorates, threat assessment, and system protection
1941 Cyber Protection Team (CPT)
- Commander: Lieutenant Commander Nathaniel Toll
- Personnel: 39 billets
- Mission: Augment active duty CPTs in threat hunting, incident response, and assessments
- Capability: Stand ready for recall to assist in securing the MTS

Reserve Component Background

First Cyber Reserve Units: Historic establishment as Coast Guard's first cyber-focused reserve commands
Integration: Aligned with U.S. Cyber Command joint cyber operations
Personnel Source: Nationwide recruitment from cybersecurity professionals in private and public sectors
Experience Base: Many members are former active duty Coast Guard Cyber personnel now working in civilian cybersecurity roles

Auxiliary Cyber Program (AUXCYBER)

Coast Guard Auxiliary Cybersecurity Augmentation Program

Authorization: CGCYBER Instruction 16790.1 (December 2022)
Mission: Allow qualified Auxiliarists to augment Coast Guard cyberspace workforce
Organization: All-volunteer civilian auxiliary members
Size: Over 20,000 total Coast Guard Auxiliary members (cyber specialists are subset)

Cyber Flotilla 22-12

Established: April 21, 2023
Location: Fort Meade, Maryland (first all-remote auxiliary flotilla)
Mission: Recruit and retain cybersecurity professionals for Coast Guard cyber missions
Innovation: All-remote volunteer team structure
Membership: Cybersecurity professionals from across the United States

AUXCYBER Requirements and Capabilities

Membership Requirements:

Current Coast Guard Auxiliarist in good standing
Basic Qualified (BQ) status minimum
Current in Auxiliary Core Training (AUXCT)
Favorable Personnel Security Investigation (PSI) at Direct Operations level
Eligible for NIPRnet Enterprise Alternate Token System (NEATS) card access

Professional Qualifications:

CISSP or equivalent certification preferred
Framework auditing/controls assessments (NIST 800-53r5, NIST Cybersecurity Framework)
Digital forensics and incident response experience
Exercise development and cyber exercise participation
Cybersecurity roles at DHS CISA, DoD, Intelligence Community, technology organizations, or critical infrastructure operators

Support Activities:

Cybersecurity outreach, awareness, education, and training
Support to CGCYBER and Coast Guard commands at Area, District, and Sector levels
Assistance with cyber exercises and assessments
Augmentation during cyber incidents and responses

Unique Maritime Cyber Mission

Marine Transportation System (MTS) Protection

Economic Impact: $5.4 trillion annually (25% of U.S. GDP)
Trade Volume: 90% of U.S. international trade
Critical Infrastructure: Ports, marine terminals, shipping lanes, waterways
Threat Landscape: 68% increase in cyber incidents against MTS in 2021
Vulnerabilities: Port operations, cargo management systems, vessel navigation systems, terminal operations

Law Enforcement Authorities

Title 40 Authorities: Law enforcement powers under Department of Homeland Security
Jurisdiction: U.S. territorial waters, ports, and maritime facilities
Coordination: Works with FBI, other federal agencies, and international partners
Investigation: Cyber incidents affecting maritime commerce and security

Regulatory and Compliance Role

Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA): Cybersecurity requirements for regulated facilities and vessels
Deadline: 2026 compliance deadline for maritime cybersecurity regulations
Support Services: Cyber Protection Teams assist facilities with compliance
Industry Partnership: Collaboration with private maritime industry on cyber resilience

Education and Training Pipeline

Coast Guard Academy Cyber Systems Program

Academic Major: Cyber Systems degree program
Curriculum: Technical computing foundation with managerial cyber emphasis
Internships: Summer internships at CGCYBER, U.S. Cyber Command, NSA, national labs
Security Clearance: Most positions require clearances for advanced training
Career Preparation: Direct pipeline to Coast Guard cyber officer positions

U.S. Army Cyber Divisions and Psychological Operations Units: A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction As cyberspace has emerged as the fifth warfighting domain alongside land, sea, air, and space, the U.S. Army has developed a sophisticated organizational structure to conduct operations in this critical realm. From offensive cyber operations to defensive network protection, and from psychological operations to information warfare, the Army

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Professional Development

Cyber Range: Mandatory junior summer experience for all cadets
Cyber Team: Competition-based cybersecurity club open to all cadets
Advanced Education: Graduates prepared for cybersecurity, information assurance, and cyber operations graduate programs
Industry Preparation: Strong foundation for private sector cybersecurity careers

Enlisted Career Fields

Cyber Mission Specialist (CMS): New enlisted rating for cyber operations
Career Progression: Opportunities for command positions within cyber career path
Training Pipeline: Joint training with other services and specialized Coast Guard cyber training

Current Status and Future Development

U.S. Cyber Command Integration

Formal Recognition: Coast Guard petitioning DOD for formal recognition as Cyber Mission Force member
Current Status: Individual Coast Guard members serve on Cyber Mission Force teams, primarily Cyber National Mission Force
Benefits of Recognition: Parity with other service cyber components, enhanced funding eligibility, expanded Title 10 authorities
Unique Value: "Who better to defend on behalf of U.S. Space Command their key cyber terrain than guardians" - recognized need for specialized maritime cyber expertise

Operational Partnerships

CISA Collaboration: Joint threat hunting operations with Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Maritime Industry: Direct partnerships with port operators, shipping companies, and maritime technology providers
International Cooperation: Cyber threat information sharing with allied maritime forces
State and Local: Support to state and local agencies during maritime cyber incidents

Recent Developments and Growth

CTIME Report: Annual Cyber Trends and Insights in the Marine Environment report documenting threat landscape
Exercise Participation: Active participation in Cyber Yankee, Cyber Dawn, Cyber Shield, and other major cyber exercises
Threat Hunting: Proactive cyber threat hunting operations in maritime critical infrastructure
Training Laboratory: New maritime cyber laboratory in Washington for realistic port attack simulations

Unique Characteristics and Challenges

Distinctive Mission Focus

Dual-Domain Expertise: Combines maritime operational knowledge with cyber capabilities
Critical Infrastructure: Responsibility for one of the nation's most economically vital sectors
24/7 Operations: Continuous monitoring and protection of maritime cyber terrain
Incident Response: Rapid response capability for maritime cyber emergencies

Organizational Advantages

DHS Integration: Direct access to civilian cybersecurity resources and intelligence
Law Enforcement: Legal authorities other military services lack in domestic operations
Industry Relationships: Deep partnerships with private maritime sector
Flexibility: Able to operate under both Title 10 (military) and Title 14 (Coast Guard) authorities

Challenges and Opportunities

Recruitment: Competing with private sector for cybersecurity talent
Recognition: Seeking formal acknowledgment as equal cyber component
Resource Competition: Balancing traditional maritime missions with growing cyber responsibilities
Retention: Maintaining cyber expertise in face of lucrative private sector opportunities

Impact and Strategic Importance

Economic Security

Trade Protection: Ensuring uninterrupted flow of international commerce
Supply Chain Security: Protecting maritime links in global supply chains
Port Operations: Maintaining cyber resilience of critical port infrastructure
Economic Continuity: Preventing cyber disruptions that could cost billions in economic impact

National Security

Maritime Domain Awareness: Cyber capabilities supporting understanding of maritime threats
Force Protection: Protecting Coast Guard assets and operations from cyber attack
Joint Operations: Cyber support to Department of Defense and other agencies
Homeland Defense: Defending U.S. maritime approaches from cyber-enabled threats

Innovation and Future

Technology Integration: Leading adoption of new technologies in maritime domain
Public-Private Partnership: Model for civilian-military cyber cooperation
Volunteer Force Multiplication: Demonstrating value of auxiliary cyber forces
Adaptive Organization: Rapidly evolving to meet emerging cyber threats

The Coast Guard's cyber mission represents a unique and critical component of U.S. cybersecurity, protecting the economic lifeline of American trade while pioneering innovative approaches to civil-military cyber cooperation. As cyber threats to maritime infrastructure continue to evolve, the Coast Guard's specialized expertise becomes increasingly vital to national and economic security.