As articulated by the Secretary of Defense, there are currently multiple lines of effort throughout the DOD related to Cyber Security from a National Defense perspective such as NAVCYBER, MARFORCYBER, ARCYBER, AFCYBER; even in the National Guard there is a division between Army and Air Force Cyber. An attack on the nation will initiate at the county level. The National Guard is capable, and the most cost effective asset within the state, to provide a rapid response team that is able to support the critical infrastructure or local business entity until a contract can be negotiated by private industry to secure its network.

The Cyber Warrior Act provides force structure much like the Civil Support Team, which responds to State Emergencies at a moment’s notice. The National Guard utilizes civilian acquired skills leveraged from everyday job skills which cannot be acquired, sustained, or maintained by Active Duty forces. National Guard forces provide a comparatively inexpensive, well trained, surge capability needed for a Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) response and law enforcement augmentation.

Authorizes National Guard members to assist the combatant commands in developing and expanding their capacity to prepare for and respond to such events. Prohibits members from performing such duties unless the Secretary certifies to Congress that the members possess the requisite skills, training, and equipment to be proficient in all mission requirements.

Requires the homeland defense activities for which the Secretary is authorized to provide funds to a Governor for National Guard units to include: (1) the National Guard's provision of cyber emergency education and training for state and local law enforcement and governmental personnel; and (2) upon a Governor's order, the National Guard's performance of activities undertaken by state and local governments to prepare for and respond to such emergencies.