Evaluation of Joint Task Force–Cyber in support of geographic combatant commands

(a) Study and evaluation Not later than July 1, 2026, the Secretary of Defense shall, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in consultation with the Commander of United States Cyber Command, jointly conduct a comprehensive study on force employment in support of combatant commands and an evaluation of establishing Joint Task Force-Cyber elements across all of the geographic combatant commands. (b) Elements of evaluation and study The study and evaluation required under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) An assessment of cyber force employment requirements and capabilities across all geographic combatant commands. (2) An assessment of the benefits and limitations of the operational need for Joint Task Force-Cyber elements in each geographic combatant command area of operations under the following conditions: (A) Under the operational control of the geographic command of the geographic combatant commanders. (B) Under the existing construct. (3) An analysis of the optimal command and control structures for Joint Task Force-Cyber elements, including— (A) the designation of Joint Task Force Establishing Authority, as defined in joint doctrine and instructions; (B) the alignment of operational control and tactical control over subordinate forces; and (C) concurrent Joint Task Force Establishing Authority management structures between United States Cyber Command and respective geographic combatant commands. (4) An assessment of force structure requirements, including— (A) assigned forces for each potential Joint Task Force-Cyber element; (B) manning and resourcing requirements relative to assigned missions; and (C) sources of personnel required. (5) An evaluation of the integration and sustainment of cyber capabilities and effects. (6) An identification of supporting infrastructure requirements for each geographic combatant command. (7) A description of potential missions and lines of effort for Joint Task Force-Cyber elements. (8) An analysis of relationships with existing entities within each geographic combatant command, including an assessment of complementary and duplicative activities. (9) Such other matters as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff determine appropriate. (c) Implementation plan for Joint Task Force-Cyber The study and evaluation required under subsection (a) shall include a comprehensive implementation plan for establishing Joint Task Force-Cyber elements across geographic combatant commands starting with United States Indo-Pacific Command, as determined appropriate based on the findings of the study and evaluation. (d) Report required Not later than July 1, 2026, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Commander of United States Cyber Command shall jointly submit to the Secretary of Defense and the congressional defense committees a report containing— (1) the results of the study and evaluation required under subsection (a); (2) the implementation plan required under subsection (c); (3) views from each of the geographic combatant commands regarding the results of the study in subsection (a) and the implementation plan in subsection (b); and (4) recommendations for legislative or administrative actions required to implement the plan. (e) Limitation on availability of funds Of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act, or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026 for operation and maintenance, Defense-wide, and available for the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy, not more than 90 percent may be obligated or expended until the date on which the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff submit to the congressional defense committees the complete report required under subsection (d).

(a) Study and evaluation Not later than July 1, 2026, the Secretary of Defense shall, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in consultation with the Commander of United States Cyber Command, jointly conduct a comprehensive study on force employment in support of combatant commands and an evaluation of establishing Joint Task Force-Cyber elements across all of the geographic combatant commands. (b) Elements of evaluation and study The study and evaluation required under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) An assessment of cyber force employment requirements and capabilities across all geographic combatant commands. (2) An assessment of the benefits and limitations of the operational need for Joint Task Force-Cyber elements in each geographic combatant command area of operations under the following conditions: (A) Under the operational control of the geographic command of the geographic combatant commanders. (B) Under the existing construct. (3) An analysis of the optimal command and control structures for Joint Task Force-Cyber elements, including— (A) the designation of Joint Task Force Establishing Authority, as defined in joint doctrine and instructions; (B) the alignment of operational control and tactical control over subordinate forces; and (C) concurrent Joint Task Force Establishing Authority management structures between United States Cyber Command and respective geographic combatant commands. (4) An assessment of force structure requirements, including— (A) assigned forces for each potential Joint Task Force-Cyber element; (B) manning and resourcing requirements relative to assigned missions; and (C) sources of personnel required. (5) An evaluation of the integration and sustainment of cyber capabilities and effects. (6) An identification of supporting infrastructure requirements for each geographic combatant command. (7) A description of potential missions and lines of effort for Joint Task Force-Cyber elements. (8) An analysis of relationships with existing entities within each geographic combatant command, including an assessment of complementary and duplicative activities. (9) Such other matters as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff determine appropriate. (c) Implementation plan for Joint Task Force-Cyber The study and evaluation required under subsection (a) shall include a comprehensive implementation plan for establishing Joint Task Force-Cyber elements across geographic combatant commands starting with United States Indo-Pacific Command, as determined appropriate based on the findings of the study and evaluation. (d) Report required Not later than July 1, 2026, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Commander of United States Cyber Command shall jointly submit to the Secretary of Defense and the congressional defense committees a report containing— (1) the results of the study and evaluation required under subsection (a); (2) the implementation plan required under subsection (c); (3) views from each of the geographic combatant commands regarding the results of the study in subsection (a) and the implementation plan in subsection (b); and (4) recommendations for legislative or administrative actions required to implement the plan. (e) Limitation on availability of funds Of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act, or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026 for operation and maintenance, Defense-wide, and available for the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy, not more than 90 percent may be obligated or expended until the date on which the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff submit to the congressional defense committees the complete report required under subsection (d).