Paul Nakasone, formerly commander of the Army Cyber Command, on Friday will officially become head of the U.S. Cyber Command during a change-of-command ceremony that will mark the transition of Cybercom into a combatant command, DoD News reported Thursday.
Nakasone will succeed the retiring Navy Adm. Michael Rogers and accept his fourth star as his military rank changes from lieutenant general to general at the ceremony to be presided by Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan at Fort Meade in Maryland.
Dana White, a spokesperson for the Defense Department, told reporters Thursday that Nakasone will oversee cyber operation planning and implementation, facilitate training of cyber professionals and advocate for additional cyber resources.
White said Cybercom will become the 10th combatant command that will work to deter and respond to cyber attacks.
Nakasone, a 2018 Wash100 recipient, received Senate confirmation in April to serve in the dual-hatted role of Cybercom chief and director of the National Security Agency.