For the first time ever the US has appointed a four star general dedicated to directing cyber warfare and security operations.
According to The Guardian, no previous commander of such high rank has been purely focused on overseeing the military's use of the internet for combat.
General Keith Alexander will take control of the Pentagon's new Cyber-Command, tasked with ensuring the security of US military networks.
It comes as the US becomes increasingly concerned about its vulnerability to cyber attack from both nation states and terrorist organisations.
President Barack Obama recently described cyber-security as one of the most serious economic and national security challenges faced by the country.
