91st Cyber Brigade

The 91st Cyber Brigade, the Army National Guard’s first and only cyber brigade, was officially activated on September 1, 2017, after a remarkably swift implementation from concept to activation – one of the fastest in National Guard history. The brigade comprises five battalions, five cybersecurity companies, five cyber warfare companies, and 11 cyber protection teams distributed across more than 30 states. Its primary mission is to provide training, readiness oversight, and operational command and control for these units.

Since its activation, the 91st Cyber Brigade has focused on validating the capabilities of its subordinate teams. All 11 Cyber Protection Teams have successfully completed congressional mandates for mission validation, with three teams validated during Cyber Shield 2022. These teams are strategically shared across 31 states, enhancing national cyber defense.

In September 2022, the brigade celebrated the opening of its new, state-of-the-art headquarters at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The 41,000+ square foot facility, built to LEED Silver standards, provides a secure and modern operational environment for Soldiers, showcasing the Virginia National Guard’s commitment to cutting-edge cyber capabilities and highlighting the evolution of VANG cyber defense since the 1970s.

The 91st Cyber Brigade also leads critical exercises like Cyber Fortress, a growing annual event designed to strengthen cyber incident response capabilities. Beginning in 2022 with approximately 20 Virginia National Guard members and partners, Cyber Fortress 2025 is expected to involve over 250 National Guard Service Members and numerous public and private sector organizations – including Dominion Energy, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the FBI, and over a dozen other organizations who have a stake in the security of operational technology and critical infrastructure. This exercise fosters vital partnerships and improves Virginia’s preparedness for cyberattacks.

Complementing the brigade’s capabilities is the Virginia National Guard’s Information Operations Support Center (IOSC), established in 2001. This specialized team of five officers and three senior NCOs provides Information Operations capabilities, supporting both state and federal missions and aligning with the 91st Cyber Brigade; the IOSC Commander serves as a Deputy Commander for the Brigade. IOSC actively collaborates with other IO elements within the National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve, contributing to a comprehensive national information operations network.

Visit the 91st Cyber Brigade on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/91stCyberBrigade/
 

(as of May 2025)