As cyberattacks on critical infrastructure rise, the line between the digital and physical worlds is becoming increasingly blurred. Ransomware attacks targeting utilities, healthcare systems, and transportation networks underscore the reality that cyber threats can have devastating real-world consequences. In this evolving landscape, cyber range training has emerged as a critical tool in strengthening national cyber defense.
The Importance of Cyber Range Training
Just as military forces conduct combat training before entering the battlefield, cyber operators must also undergo rigorous training before engaging in live operations. Mistakes in the realm of cyber defense don’t just result in data breaches; mistakes can mean degradation of vital capabilities or the loss of lives.
Access to cyber ranges is crucial for safely training and rehearsing missions, allowing cyber operators, both individually and in teams, to practice before engaging in live operations. This training is essential for developing the skills needed to defend national infrastructure and minimize the potential for catastrophic outcomes.
Simulated Environments Help to Prepare for Complex, Real-World Threats
Today’s operational environments are incredibly diverse and complex, spanning industries critical to national defense, economic stability, public health, and safety. From power grids to transportation systems and healthcare facilities, these infrastructures are interdependent and vulnerable to cyberattacks that could disrupt essential services.
Cyber range training provides simulated environments allowing operators to prepare for the high diversity and complexity of real-world operational environments that tie to national defense.
Advanced cyber ranges, like those found at the TAC, simulate or emulate more complex real-world environments, such as operational technology (OT) centered on national critical infrastructure or even potentially platform information technology (PIT) employed by the Department of Defense (DoD), allowing cyber professionals to perform their activities in a controlled manner to proactively mitigate mistakes and achieve required proficiencies before real-world engagements.
Key Benefits of Cyber Range Training
- Risk Mitigation: Cyber range training enables organizations to proactively identify and address threat tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), vulnerabilities, and impacts in a safe environment, significantly reducing risk of successful cyberattacks on real systems.
- Environment Familiarity: By simulating real-world systems and technologies, cyber ranges help teams gain hands-on experience and become adept at navigating the specific configurations and challenges they will face in actual operational environments.
- Team/Cross-Team Training: Cyber ranges offer opportunities for both individual and collaborative training, enhancing communication and coordination among various teams and departments, which improves overall effectiveness in managing and responding to complex cyber incidents.
Looking Ahead: Federal Oversight of Cyber Ranges
At the national level, cyber ranges are essential for quickly preparing forces and building capabilities. They offer a safe environment to develop standardized cyber skills needed to protect national interests. This need extends beyond the military to the federal cyber workforce, as well as state and local governments, which also require access to these ranges to prepare to respond to global cyber threats.
However, simply including them in defense plans isn’t enough. Federal laws make it easier to acquire these valuable cyber ranges, ensuring they are provided and funded. To avoid duplicating efforts and wasting resources, federal management and oversight of their acquisition is necessary.
Summary : As cyber threats escalate, cyber range training has become increasingly vital for national defense. It provides the foundation needed for cyber operators to effectively safeguard national infrastructure, mitigate risks, and defend the country against increasingly complex threats. Just as combat training is essential for soldiers, cyber training is vital to the defense of our digital and physical world.
Interested in how cyber range training can elevate your organization’s cyber defense efforts?
Contact us today to learn more about TAC’s advanced training solutions including our Cyber Range Environments.
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Written by
Monty Mills
CIO of Technology Advancement Center