LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- The Cyber security Incident Response training, which is part of a program developed by a civilian entity accredited by the Department of Homeland Security, targeted critical infrastructure within a simulated city, created by Metova Cybercents, and uncovered potential cyber security susceptibilities.
The training environment is a new concept within an already established learning curriculum and was designed specifically for this exercise.
"We know that critical infrastructures are susceptible to a cyber-attack," said Scott Terry, associate divisions director, at the Texas A&M Engineering Department's Cyber Readiness Center. "The important role that cyber operators play is so vital, we know we need to help them. The unique training environment helps the participants get some hands-on training that they won't have the opportunity to get anywhere else."
Cyber specialists from multiple fields and backgrounds were able to participate in the training. Arkansas businesses, state and city departments, and the Arkansas Army and Air National Guard members joined in the event, strengthening their cyber capabilities. The ability to integrate cyber practices across multiple sectors and platforms is integral to successful cyber security incident response.
"The Arkansas National Guard already has the ability to coordinate, train, assist and advise on anything cyber," said Maj. Scott Anderson, the 189th Operations Group, Detachment 1, director of operations. "If one of the state agencies or co-ops in Arkansas needs help, they are able to go through the emergency management process to request assistance from the National Guard. We work for the governor and the state as well as support our federal mission. All they have to do is ask."
The training is part of a six-delivery grant cycle. This means that there are very limited courses available for cyber operators to attend. An organization's ability to find value in the training and promote it within their unit upon completion is key to developing further training opportunities such as this response course.
The course, built specifically to meet training requirements within the cyber community is one of several elements of the cyber training regimen that enhances the skills of the Airmen, Soldiers and civilians who are entrusted with protecting the nation's critical infrastructure.
"As a whole, building and executing cyber events like this is key to successful cyber operations," Anderson said. "The class is geared toward people who will benefit seeing this in a controlled environment so they will know how to react in a real-world situation."
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