Cyber Exercises: A Vision for NATO: A CyCon 2021 Workshop Summary Report

Amy Ertan, Aurimas Kuprys, Pilleriin Lillemets, Gry-Mona Nordli

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

How do we best incorporate the cyber domain into joint exercises, highlighting security implications for entrenched dependencies on technology and internet-connected systems? What is NATO’s vision for effective cyber exercises, and how does this correspond with Members’ national exercising goals? How do NATO, and other multinational exercises, approach the challenges of limited trust or unclear learning objectives, and work to ensure exercises complement each other? Who provides input into multinational exercises, and who should? The Cyber Exercises workshop at the international Cyber Conflict Conference (CyCon) 2021 was designed in response to these broad questions and concerns. As an organisation, various agencies at NATO run a number of cyber-specific exercises, as well as broader exercise and simulation activities. In order to identify gaps, overlaps, challenges and opportunities for NATO-facilitated cyber exercises, workshop committee members agreed a workshop must consider the bigger picture of cyber exercises. This involved creating a space which invites NATO colleagues who are integral to the exercise design, development and delivery process, NATO policy-creators, as well as external colleagues who could highlight national, industry, and academic best practices.

This document provides an overview of the workshop including key themes raised by invited speakers and through syndicate ‘break-out’ rooms over the course of the workshop. The document also includes a section on ‘recommendations’ drawn throughout the session.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCyCon 2021
PublisherNATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCoE)
Number of pages14
Publication statusPublished - 19 Aug 2021

Keywords

  • Cyberwarfare
  • cyber exercise
  • NATO

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