By Lt. Col. (MD) Barry Greene, president of the State Guard Association of the United States
February 5, 2025
The digital battlefield is no longer a distant threat; it is here, and the front lines are everywhere. While the nation focuses on federal cybersecurity efforts, a far more local effort is developing within the ranks of State Defense Forces (SDFs). These dedicated forces, comprised of volunteer citizen-soldiers serving their own state or U.S. territory under Title 32 of the United States Code, are stepping up to defend their communities in the cyber domain.
A recent example highlighted the growing importance of SDF cyber capabilities. In the summer of 2024, when a major software glitch within Crowdstrike caused widespread disruption across the country, it wasn't just federal agencies scrambling for solutions. SDF cyber teams from several states were activated, providing critical support to state agencies overwhelmed by the incident. These skilled volunteers worked tirelessly, cleaning thousands of compromised systems and laptops while ensuring the continuity of essential services, ultimately saving taxpayers significant costs.
"The Crowdstrike incident, while not a malicious attack, served as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of modern IT systems," said Brig. Gen. Greg Juday of the Maryland Defense Force and president-elect of the State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS). "State Defense Forces bring specialized skills and rapid response capabilities, which are proving to be invaluable assets in addressing such challenges."
Brig. Gen. (MD) Juday knows firsthand the importance of SDF cyber expertise. He was recently honored by the Military Cyber Professionals Association and inducted into the organization’s prestigious Order of Thor for his work with the SGAUS on military cyber preparedness and his role as the Maryland Defense Force Commanding General. The Order of Thor recognizes excellence in and special contributions to the American military cyber community. This honor underscores the growing recognition of SDFs as vital to the nation’s cyber defense strategy.
The State Guard Association of the United States champions the development of robust cyber capabilities within State Defense Forces across the nation.
"SDF cyber teams attract the best cyber talent and give them an opportunity to protect their own communities," said Juday. "That is exactly what happened during the Crowdstrike incident."
In recent years, the SGAUS has launched several key initiatives to bolster SDF cyber capabilities, including:
Cyber Defense Badge Program: This program recognizes and rewards the skills and experience of cyber professionals within SDFs. By aligning with the Dept. of Defense Cyberspace Workforce Framework standards, SGAUS ensures its members possess the necessary qualifications to combat cyber threats effectively. The program offers different badge levels, recognizing foundational knowledge, advanced proficiency, and exceptional mastery in cyber defense.
Training 10,000 Veterans in Cyber Defense: In 2024, the SGAUS was recognized by the White House for its support of the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy through its commitment to train 10,000 military veterans in cybersecurity, helping to equip them with the skills and certifications to serve in SDF cyber units. This initiative leverages the valuable experience and dedication of veterans while addressing the critical shortage of cybersecurity professionals nationwide.
As cyberattacks become increasingly sophisticated and frequent, these SGAUS initiatives are crucial to defending communities nationwide. By empowering citizen-soldiers with cutting-edge cyber skills, SGAUS is building a formidable line of defense against digital threats.
"The evolving cyber threat landscape demands a comprehensive and collaborative approach to homeland defense, and State Defense Forces are uniquely positioned to provide critical support to their communities," said Juday. "We must continue to leverage the expertise of our citizen-soldiers to protect critical infrastructure and ensure the continuity of essential services."
State Defense Forces are military entities under the sole authority of a state or territorial governor. The Posse Comitatus Act restricts the use of federal military forces for domestic law enforcement purposes. When activated with or without pay within their home state in an emergency, SDFs can act in a law enforcement capacity or augment civil authorities without violating the Posse Comitatus Act. This provides governors with a valuable tool that can be activated to address cyber threats to the public without relying on federal resources that may be subject to legal restrictions.
The rise of State Defense Force cyber units reflects the dedication and ingenuity of volunteers across the country. These citizen cyber warriors stand ready to defend their communities, ensuring a safer and more secure future for all.
Lt. Col. (MD) Barry Greene is the founding commandant of the State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) Cyber Defense Academy. He holds a Master of Science in Cybersecurity and has over 25 years of experience in information security. He is a certified instructor for emergency response programs administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Department of Energy. In 2022, Lt. Col. Greene founded SGAUS’ Cyber Defense Academy through which SDF soldiers are now acquiring cyber training that not only qualifies them for cyber missions but gets them real jobs in the private sector.
Image: Author presenting at HammerCon 2024 (video)
