As cyber threats from around the world continue to emerge and evolve, the Army Reserve is stepping up to the challenge through training and organization, the Reserve’s top officer said.

“For the past two years, America's Army Reserve has been on a path to see digital key terrain,” Lt. Gen. Charles Luckey, the chief of the Army Reserve and commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve Command, told the House Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee during a recent hearing.

The Army Reserve Innovation Command assesses and develops technology hubs across the country and relies on soldiers with civilian-acquired skills, he said. Efforts to establish 10 cyber protection teams in cities across the country also are underway.

In 2015, the Reserve created the National Cyber Private Public Partnership to support cyber talent by putting soldiers in cyber organizations and offering them opportunities to pursue civilian careers in the field.

"The cyber talent within the Army Reserve delivers capability, improves cyber readiness, and increases our network defense capability,” Luckey said.

Last year’s midterm elections showed the importance for cyber readiness in the military. Air Force Lt. Gen. Joseph Lengyel, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said Guard troops in 27 states were on duty to monitor the security of government networks, provide support and ensure integrity during that time.

“We continue to learn how to stay connected with what may be a security issue with respect to our networks,” Lengyel said.