The EU Holds Its First Cyber War Game Exercise

European Union defense ministers have been taking part in a simulated cyber-attack exercise for the first time to practice strategic decision making and crisis-management under pressure of a mock cyber-attack against the bloc’s military structures.

The two-hour war game exercise, named EU CYBRID 2017, was held in Tallinn, Estonia, where the EU defense ministers were recently meeting for informal discussions on a range of security issues.

Cyber-attacks targeting and damage civilian infrastructure, such as power-plants, was not included in this particular exercise. Although recent malware activity, such as the Wannacry ransomware attacks, which locked some UK hospitals out of their IT systems and led to operations being canceled, likely contributed to the decision to run the exercise, said a minister of defense spokeswoman.She said the fictitious scenario focused on threats to military operations in the Mediterranean.

According to Reuters the exercise involved the EU’s naval mission in the Mediterranean being sabotaged by hackers who cripple the mission’s command on land while also launching a campaign on social media to discredit EU operations and provoke protests.

The exercise was generally aimed at giving ministers the chance to practice situational awareness, crisis management and strategic communication between member states, with the overarching goal of moving towards establishing a policy guideline for the European Union to adopt in the event of such a cyber war situation.

Increasing defense ministers’ awareness about the potential scale of risks posed by cyber-attacks appears to be an early take-away from the exercise, according to the spokeswoman.

“What we’ve seen is that the ministers were very interested in it, and it gave them an overview of the threat and what could happen actually because the scenario was built up in such a way that the situation is escalating,” she told us. “In the beginning it might seem like a small thing… It’s pretty hard to assess how big a deal it is. They got an overview that it can escalate to a very, very serious business and that can attack also the military operations.”

“The exercise wasn’t about finding a very concrete, one solution. It was just to get the [understanding] to watch this road,” she added, emphasising that it’s the first time such an exercise has taken place with defense ministers, and describing it as the “first step” on the road towards a better “common understanding”, which is the necessary base for the EU being able to establish guidelines to respond to (real) cyber-attacks against its military structures.

Commenting on the exercise in a statement, Estonia’s minister for defense, Jüri Luik, added: “The cyber world and cyber threats do not recognise national boundaries or the barriers between organisations.

“It is therefore important to perform joint exercises of this kind, between European Union member states as well as the EU and NATO. We must exchange information and have a common understanding, in order to ensure improved preparedness for dealing with cyber threats.”

Ein News

You Might Also Read: 

Which Countries Are Ready For Cyberwar?:

A Revolution In Warfare Made Possible By AI:

NATO Could Go To War In Response To A Cyber Attack:

 

« India’s Cyber Insurance Business Is Flourishing
Spy Chiefs Set Sights On AI And Cyber »

Infosecurity Europe
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

IT Governance

IT Governance

IT Governance is a leading global provider of information security solutions. Download our free guide and find out how ISO 27001 can help protect your organisation's information.

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO is the market leader in HPE Non-Stop Security, Risk Management and Compliance.

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Our Supplier Directory lists 7,000+ specialist cyber security service providers in 128 countries worldwide. IS YOUR ORGANISATION LISTED?

Practice Labs

Practice Labs

Practice Labs is an IT competency hub, where live-lab environments give access to real equipment for hands-on practice of essential cybersecurity skills.

Center for Identity - University of Texas at Austin

Center for Identity - University of Texas at Austin

The mission of the Center is to deliver the highest-quality discoveries, applications, education, and outreach for excellence in identity management, privacy, and security.

Entersekt

Entersekt

Entersekt is an innovator in push-based authentication and app security.

InnoSec

InnoSec

InnoSec is a software manufacturer of cyber risk management technology.

Waratek

Waratek

Waratek is a pioneer in the next generation of application security solutions known as Runtime Application Self-Protection or RASP.

e-Lock

e-Lock

e-Lock services include IT security consulting and training, security systems integration, managed security and technical support.

TechArch

TechArch

TechArch helps customers to optimize their investments in cybersecurity by providing them independent and vendor-neutral consultation and guidance.

SensorHound

SensorHound

SensorHound’s mission is to improve the security and reliability of the Internet of Things (IoT).

Partnership for Conflict, Crime and Security Research (PaCCS)

Partnership for Conflict, Crime and Security Research (PaCCS)

PaCCS delivers high quality and cutting edge research to improve our understanding of current and future global security challenges in areas including cybersecurity.

Lexsynergy

Lexsynergy

Lexsynergy is a global domain name management and online brand protection company.

DeepSeas

DeepSeas

DeepSeas is the result of a merger between Security On-Demand (SOD) and the commercial Managed Threat Services (MTS) business of Booz Allen Hamilton.

ShieldApps

ShieldApps

ShieldApps comprehensive suite of products is designed to protect your personal devices from privacy threats, including hacking attempts, online tracking, fingerprinting, phishing, malware, and more.

Harvey Nash

Harvey Nash

Harvey Nash is a leading global provider of talent and technology solutions.

BalkanID

BalkanID

BalkanID is an Identity governance solution that leverages data science to provide visibility into your SaaS & public cloud entitlement sprawl.

ShellBoxes

ShellBoxes

ShellBoxes are a leading Web3 company focused on providing top-notch blockchain security and development services.

Parablu

Parablu

Parablu is a leading provider of data security and resiliency solutions for the digital enterprise.

BlackSwan Technologies

BlackSwan Technologies

BlackSwan Technologies is reinventing enterprise software through Agile Intelligence for the Enterprise – a fusion of data, artificial intelligence, and cloud technologies.