Giuliani's so-called "cyber working group," a vague advisory committee officially announced by Trump's presidential transition team in early January, is rarely in contact with White House staff.

A top White House official says the U.S. government cannot rely on offensive cyber operations to deter foreign hackers from attacking American computer networks.

The U.S. government may have a more extensive role to play in defending computer networks belonging specifically to American critical infrastructure companies, according to White House Homeland Security Adviser Thomas Bossert, although most are owned and operated by the private sector.

With President Donald Trump's move to elevate U.S. Cyber Command to a Combatant Command, the Fort Meade-based outfit is on track for additional funding dollars and a bump in acquisition authorities, which experts believe will translate into the development of new programs and therefore a cadre of opportunities for private defense contractors.

Trump's decision moves Cyber Command one step closer from being moved away from the National Security Agency.

The remarkable decision to have a single official fill two key White House cybersecurity posts has highlighted both the Trump administration's commitment to securing federal IT networks as a national security priority; and its inability to fill key cyber jobs.