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New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel have participated in a multinational exercise led by the United States to advance and fortify the military’s cyber capabilities. This collaborative effort is driven by the necessity to shield the nation and its assets against the relentless and ever-evolving array of cyber threats in the contemporary digital landscape.
The exercise underscored the commitment of New Zealand to staying at the forefront of cybersecurity and serves as a testament to the strong international partnerships. By engaging in this exercise, the NZDF personnel have had the invaluable opportunity to exchange insights, strategies, and best practices with their counterparts worldwide. This cross-cultural collaboration enhances cyber readiness and fosters a spirit of cooperation and solidarity in confronting the common challenges posed by the modern cyber domain.
The bi-annual Exercise Cyber Flag, orchestrated under the auspices of the US Cyber Command, is designed to cultivate the capacity for executing Defensive Cyber Operations beyond the conventional IT network boundaries. Beyond this primary objective, it serves as a crucible for developing, assessing, and validating cyber skills within the milieu of multinational cooperation.
The NZDF actively engaged in this exercise in a collaborative spirit and commitment to cyber resilience. This involvement transcended geographical constraints, with contributions from NZDF personnel stationed within the United States, specifically the State of Virginia, and remotely from New Zealand. The endeavour was characterised by two highly proficient Cyber Protection Teams comprising a dynamic ensemble of Regular Force, Reserve Force, and civilian professionals.
The first of these teams constituted a fusion of talents from the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the Royal New Zealand Navy and NZDF civilians affiliated with the Defence Cyber Service Centre. The second team was a composite unit representing the NZ Army, bolstered by the inclusion of Special Forces personnel. Furthermore, the exercise ecosystem was enriched by dedicated individuals who assumed the role of opposing forces, simulating a spectrum of cyber attacks and exploitation scenarios.
The bi-annual Exercise Cyber Flag, orchestrated by the U.S. Cyber Command, is a pivotal and meticulously crafted undertaking. Its central aim is to cultivate the expertise required for the execution of Defensive Cyber Operations, a domain that extends far beyond the conventional confines of IT networks. However, this exercise serves a multifaceted purpose, functioning as an invaluable for developing, assessing, and validating cyber skills, all within the multinational cooperation.
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) actively participated in this exercise as a collaboration and commitment to cyber resilience. What is particularly noteworthy is the NZDF’s ability to transcend geographical boundaries in its contribution. Personnel from the NZDF were positioned within the United States, specifically in the State of Virginia, and worked from remote locations in New Zealand. This dynamic engagement showcased the NZDF’s adaptability and dedication to the exercise’s objectives.
Cyber Protection Teams represent a blend of talent from the Regular Force, Reserve Force, and civilian professionals. The composition of these teams was diverse and inclusive, with the first team comprising individuals from the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the Royal New Zealand Navy, and NZDF civilians affiliated with the Defence Cyber Service Centre—the second team representation from the NZ Army was further augmented by the inclusion of Special Forces personnel.
Furthermore, the exercise ecosystem was enriched by the indispensable contributions of individuals who assumed the roles of opposing forces. Their expertise lies in simulating a spectrum of cyber attacks and exploitation scenarios, providing an invaluable testbed for the teams to hone their defensive capabilities.
