Military Cyber Exercises: Lessons for Corporate Cybersecurity

In an era where cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and pervasive, military organizations worldwide are conducting large-scale cyber exercises to enhance their defensive capabilities. As a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), understanding these exercises can provide valuable insights for strengthening your organization’s cybersecurity posture.

Implementing Military-Style Cybersecurity Approaches

The Landscape of Military Cyber Exercises

A comprehensive review of global military cyber exercises reveals over 100 significant events, ranging from national-level simulations to multinational, large-scale operations. These exercises, conducted by various countries and international organizations like NATO, offer a wealth of knowledge and best practices that can be adapted to the corporate world.

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Key Themes and Focuses

Critical Infrastructure Protection: Many exercises, such as the U.S.’s Cyber Storm and Germany’s Cyber Shield, focus on defending critical infrastructure from cyber attacks. This emphasis underscores the importance of protecting key assets and systems in both military and corporate contexts.
International Collaboration: Exercises like NATO’s Locked Shields and Cyber Coalition highlight the significance of cross-border cooperation in cybersecurity. For multinational corporations, this reinforces the need for cohesive, global cybersecurity strategies.
Integration with Traditional Operations: Exercises such as the U.S. Air Force’s Red Flag incorporate cyber components into broader military operations. This integration mirrors the need for cybersecurity to be embedded in all aspects of business operations.
Simulation of Real-World Scenarios: Many exercises, including Israel’s Joint Cyber Defense Exercise (JCDE), simulate complex, real-world cyber attacks. This approach emphasizes the importance of realistic threat modeling and preparedness in corporate environments.

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Lessons for CISOs

Conduct Regular, Large-Scale Simulations: Just as militaries conduct annual or biannual large-scale exercises, corporations should consider implementing regular, comprehensive cybersecurity drills that involve multiple departments and scenarios.
Foster Public-Private Partnerships: Many military exercises involve both government agencies and private sector participants. CISOs should explore opportunities to engage with government cybersecurity initiatives and information-sharing programs.
Emphasize Cross-Functional Collaboration: Military exercises often involve various branches and specialties working together. In the corporate world, this translates to ensuring cybersecurity is not siloed but integrated across all business functions.
Invest in Offensive Security Capabilities: Exercises like NATO’s Crossed Swords focus on offensive cyber capabilities. While corporations must be cautious with offensive tactics, investing in red team exercises and penetration testing can significantly enhance overall security.
Prepare for Multi-Vector Attacks: Military exercises often simulate complex, multi-pronged attacks. CISOs should ensure their organizations are prepared to handle sophisticated, coordinated threats that may target various systems simultaneously.
Prioritize Communication and Decision-Making: Exercises like the U.S.’s Cyber Flag emphasize rapid decision-making and communication during cyber incidents. Developing and regularly testing incident response plans and communication channels is crucial for corporate cybersecurity.

100 Military Cyber Exercises across the globe:

1. Cyber Flag (USA)

Organized by: U.S. Cyber Command
Participants: U.S. military branches, international partners.
Focus: A premier U.S. cyber defense exercise simulating complex, real-world cyberattacks, allowing participants to test and improve their defensive and offensive cyber operations.

2. Locked Shields (NATO)

Organized by: NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE)
Participants: NATO members and partner nations.
Focus: The world’s largest and most complex international live-fire cyber defense exercise, focusing on the protection of critical infrastructure and IT systems.

3. Cyber Coalition (NATO)

Organized by: NATO
Participants: NATO member states and partner countries.
Focus: This exercise tests NATO’s ability to defend its networks and enhances the capability of NATO nations to collaborate in the cyber domain.

4. Exercise Grungy Zion (USA)

Organized by: U.S. Army Cyber Protection Brigade (CPB)
Participants: U.S. military cyber teams.
Focus: A simulated joint task force exercise to practice defensive cyber operations across multiple echelons.

5. Cyber Storm (USA)

Organized by: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Participants: Federal, state, local agencies, private sector, and international partners.
Focus: A national-level exercise designed to simulate large-scale cyber incidents affecting critical infrastructure.

6. Cyber Guardian (UK)

Organized by: UK Ministry of Defence
Participants: UK military units, government agencies, and critical infrastructure sectors.
Focus: Focused on protecting critical national infrastructure, ensuring that military and civilian organizations can work together to defend against cyber threats.

7. Cyber Endeavor (USA & Partners)

Organized by: U.S. European Command
Participants: U.S. military, NATO allies, and partner nations.
Focus: Aimed at improving interoperability and collaboration among military cyber forces of NATO allies and partner nations.

8. Joint Cyber Defense Exercise (JCDE) (Israel)

Organized by: Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
Participants: Israeli military units, private sector, and international partners.
Focus: Focuses on defending national infrastructure against cyberattacks, with an emphasis on military and civilian collaboration.

9. Crossed Swords (NATO)

Organized by: NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE)
Participants: NATO members and partner nations.
Focus: An advanced technical training event for red teams, focusing on offensive cyber capabilities.

10. Panama Cyber Shield (Panama)

Organized by: Panamanian Government with international support
Participants: Military and civilian cyber teams from Panama and neighboring countries.
Focus: Focuses on protecting national infrastructure and preparing for large-scale cyber incidents.

11. Aurora (Sweden)

Organized by: Swedish Armed Forces
Participants: Swedish military, government agencies, private sector, and international partners.
Focus: A large-scale national defense exercise with a significant cyber component, testing Sweden’s ability to defend against cyber threats as part of a broader military conflict scenario.

12. Cyber Storm (Australia)

Organized by: Australian Defence Force (ADF)
Participants: Australian military, government agencies, and private sector.
Focus: A national cyber defense exercise simulating coordinated cyberattacks on Australia’s critical infrastructure.

13. Global Lightning (USA)

Organized by: U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM)
Participants: U.S. military and government agencies.
Focus: Integrates cyber operations into broader strategic deterrence exercises, ensuring the readiness of cyber capabilities in supporting national defense.

14. Cyber Shield (USA)

Organized by: U.S. National Guard
Participants: National Guard units from various states, federal agencies, private sector.
Focus: A major annual exercise focusing on defending against cyber threats to critical infrastructure, with a significant emphasis on National Guard readiness.

15. Noble Skywave (Canada)

Organized by: Canadian Armed Forces
Participants: Military teams from Canada, NATO allies, and partner nations.
Focus: A communications and cyber exercise focused on ensuring the resilience of military communication networks in the face of cyber threats.

16. Cyber Guardian (Singapore)

Organized by: Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)
Participants: SAF cyber units and civilian agencies.
Focus: A national-level exercise aimed at defending Singapore’s critical infrastructure from sophisticated cyberattacks.

17. Exercise Red Flag (USA)

Organized by: U.S. Air Force
Participants: U.S. military and allied nations.
Focus: Primarily an air combat exercise, Red Flag has increasingly incorporated cyber components to simulate the integration of cyber operations in modern warfare.

18. Exercise Pacific Sentry (USA)

Organized by: U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
Participants: U.S. military and partner nations.
Focus: Focuses on strategic deterrence and response in the Pacific region, incorporating cyber defense as a critical component.

19. Joint Warrior (UK)

Organized by: UK Ministry of Defence
Participants: UK military and NATO allies.
Focus: A biannual exercise that includes cyber warfare scenarios, testing the integration of cyber capabilities with traditional military operations.

20. Exercise Solar Flare (Australia)

Organized by: Australian Defence Force
Participants: Australian military and cyber security agencies.
Focus: Simulates cyberattacks on critical infrastructure and defense networks, aiming to improve coordination between military and civilian cyber defense teams.

21. Exercise CYBER PHOENIX (Japan)

Organized by: Japan Self-Defense Forces
Participants: Japanese military units, government agencies, and international partners.
Focus: Enhancing Japan’s cyber defense capabilities and its ability to collaborate with international partners in responding to cyber threats.

22. Cyber Shield (Germany)

Organized by: Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces)
Participants: German military, government agencies, and NATO partners.
Focus: Aimed at protecting Germany’s critical infrastructure, focusing on coordinated responses to large-scale cyberattacks.

23. ANAKONDA (Poland)

Organized by: Polish Armed Forces
Participants: Polish military, NATO allies, and partner nations.
Focus: A large-scale military exercise that includes a significant cyber component, testing Poland’s ability to defend its networks and collaborate with NATO forces.

24. Exercise CYBER GUARDIAN (India)

Organized by: Indian Armed Forces
Participants: Indian military units and civilian agencies.
Focus: Focuses on protecting India’s critical infrastructure from cyber threats and enhancing the military’s ability to respond to cyber incidents.

25. Exercise JADE HELM (USA)

Organized by: U.S. Special Operations Command
Participants: U.S. military units and civilian agencies.
Focus: While primarily a counter-terrorism exercise, Jade Helm has integrated cyber components to simulate cyber threats to military operations and infrastructure.

26. Pacific Cyberstorm (New Zealand)

Organized by: New Zealand Defence Force
Participants: New Zealand military, government agencies, and Pacific partner nations.
Focus: Enhances regional cyber defense cooperation and response capabilities among Pacific nations.

27. Exercise RIMPAC (USA)

Organized by: U.S. Pacific Fleet
Participants: U.S. military and multinational partners.
Focus: The Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise includes cyber warfare scenarios that test the integration of cyber operations with naval and joint military operations.

28. Exercise PANAMAX (Multinational)

Organized by: U.S. Southern Command
Participants: U.S. military, Latin American countries, and other international partners.
Focus: Focuses on the defense of the Panama Canal, including cyber defense scenarios to protect critical infrastructure and communications.

29. Exercise DEFNET (Brazil)

Organized by: Brazilian Army Cyber Defense Command
Participants: Brazilian military and government agencies.
Focus: Enhancing Brazil’s cyber defense capabilities and preparedness to defend against cyber threats to national infrastructure.

30. Exercise COBRA GOLD (Thailand)

Organized by: Royal Thai Armed Forces and U.S. Pacific Command
Participants: Thai military, U.S. military, and other Asia-Pacific partners.
Focus: A regional military exercise that includes cyber defense operations, focusing on protecting critical infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region.

31. Exercise CYBER BLITZ (USA)

Organized by: U.S. Army Cyber Command
Participants: U.S. military units and government agencies.
Focus: Tests the Army’s ability to conduct cyber and electronic warfare operations, integrating cyber defense with traditional military tactics.

32. Exercise SILVER SABRE (Serbia)

Organized by: Serbian Armed Forces
Participants: Serbian military, government agencies, and NATO observers.
Focus: A military exercise with a cyber defense component, focusing on protecting critical national infrastructure from cyberattacks.

33. Exercise CITADEL PROTECTOR (Canada)

Organized by: Canadian Armed Forces
Participants: Canadian military units and government agencies.
Focus: A cyber defense exercise aimed at protecting Canada’s critical infrastructure and enhancing the cyber capabilities of the Canadian Armed Forces.

34. Exercise SKYNET (France)

Organized by: French Armed Forces
Participants: French military units, government agencies, and EU partners.
Focus: Focuses on defending against cyber threats to aerospace and defense systems, testing the integration of cyber operations with air and space defense.

35. Exercise THOR’S HAMMER (Norway)

Organized by: Norwegian Armed Forces
Participants: Norwegian military units, government agencies, and NATO allies.
Focus: Focuses on defending Norway’s critical infrastructure from cyber threats, integrating cyber defense with traditional military operations.

36. Exercise BLACK STORM (Russia)

Organized by: Russian Ministry of Defense
Participants: Russian military cyber units and government agencies.
Focus: A cyber defense exercise aimed at protecting Russian critical infrastructure and testing the military’s ability to conduct cyber operations.

37. Exercise IRON SHIELD (Israel)

Organized by: Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
Participants: Israeli military units and government agencies.
Focus: A cyber defense exercise focusing on protecting Israel’s critical infrastructure from cyber threats, with an emphasis on offensive and defensive cyber capabilities.

38. Exercise BLUE FLAG (Germany)

Organized by: German Armed Forces
Participants: German military units and NATO allies.
Focus: A joint air exercise with a significant cyber component, testing the integration of cyber operations with air defense.

39. Exercise BALTIC SHIELD (Baltic States)

Organized by: Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania)
Participants: Military units from Baltic States and NATO allies.
Focus: A regional cyber defense exercise aimed at protecting the critical infrastructure of the Baltic states and enhancing their ability to respond to cyber threats.

40. Exercise NORTHERN EDGE (USA)

Organized by: U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
Participants: U.S. military and allied forces.
Focus: A joint training exercise that includes cyber defense components, focusing on defending critical infrastructure and networks in the Arctic and Pacific regions.

41. Exercise ORIENT SHIELD (Japan)

Organized by: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Army
Participants: Japanese and U.S. military units.
Focus: A joint exercise that includes cyber defense scenarios, aimed at enhancing the interoperability and collaboration between Japan and the U.S. in cyber operations.

42. Exercise GALAXY (UK)

Organized by: British Army
Participants: UK military units and NATO allies.
Focus: A large-scale exercise that integrates cyber defense with traditional military operations, focusing on protecting critical infrastructure and communications.

43. Exercise SAHEL DEFENDER (Multinational)

Organized by: Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) – Sahel Region
Participants: African Union forces, European Union partners, and other international stakeholders.
Focus: A regional exercise focusing on cyber defense and information warfare in the Sahel region, enhancing the capabilities of African Union forces to respond to cyber threats.

44. Exercise COBALT STRIKE (Multinational)

Organized by: Multinational Cyber Security Task Force
Participants: NATO allies, EU nations, and partner countries.
Focus: A multinational cyber exercise focusing on offensive and defensive cyber operations, including live-fire scenarios.

45. Exercise DESERT STORM (Saudi Arabia)

Organized by: Saudi Arabian Armed Forces
Participants: Saudi military, government agencies, and regional allies.
Focus: A large-scale military exercise that includes cyber defense operations to protect critical infrastructure and military networks in the Middle East.

46. Exercise TRIDENT JUNCTURE (NATO)

Organized by: NATO
Participants: NATO member states and partner nations.
Focus: A major NATO exercise that includes cyber warfare elements, testing the integration of cyber operations into traditional military tactics and enhancing alliance-wide cyber defense coordination.

47. Exercise WHITE HACKLE (New Zealand)

Organized by: New Zealand Defence Force
Participants: New Zealand military and government agencies.
Focus: Focuses on defending New Zealand’s critical infrastructure from cyberattacks, including scenarios that simulate both external and internal threats.

48. Exercise BRIMSTONE (UK)

Organized by: British Army
Participants: UK military, government agencies, and NATO allies.
Focus: A cyber defense exercise that simulates complex cyberattack scenarios against the UK’s critical national infrastructure, with a focus on public-private sector collaboration.

49. Exercise CYBER TEMPEST (USA)

Organized by: U.S. Navy Cyber Forces
Participants: U.S. Navy units, government agencies, and allied naval forces.
Focus: A naval cyber defense exercise that focuses on securing naval communications and command-and-control systems against cyber threats.

50. Exercise STORMBREAKER (Australia)

Organized by: Australian Defence Force
Participants: Australian military units and regional partners.
Focus: A cyber defense exercise designed to enhance the cybersecurity of Australia’s defense networks, including scenarios involving coordinated cyberattacks on military infrastructure.

51. Exercise PANDA SHIELD (China)

Organized by: People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Cyber Command
Participants: Chinese military cyber units and government agencies.
Focus: A domestic cyber defense exercise focused on protecting China’s critical infrastructure and military networks from cyberattacks.

52. Exercise KHAAN QUEST (Mongolia)

Organized by: Mongolian Armed Forces
Participants: Mongolian military and international partners.
Focus: A multinational exercise that includes a significant cyber component, focusing on protecting critical infrastructure and military networks in Mongolia and the surrounding region.

53. Exercise DIGITAL WARRIOR (South Korea)

Organized by: Republic of Korea Armed Forces
Participants: South Korean military units and U.S. Forces Korea.
Focus: A cyber defense exercise focused on protecting South Korea’s critical infrastructure and military communications against North Korean cyber threats.

54. Exercise GOLDEN SPUR (Mexico)

Organized by: Mexican Army Cyber Command
Participants: Mexican military units and government agencies.
Focus: A national-level cyber defense exercise aimed at enhancing Mexico’s ability to respond to cyberattacks on critical infrastructure.

55. Exercise CYBER PERSISTENCE (Singapore)

Organized by: Singapore Armed Forces
Participants: Singapore military units and civilian agencies.
Focus: Aimed at improving the nation’s resilience against cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, with scenarios involving simulated cyber threats to financial systems, utilities, and communications.

56. Exercise ARABIAN NIGHT (Gulf Cooperation Council)

Organized by: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Participants: GCC member states.
Focus: A regional exercise focused on enhancing cyber defense capabilities across the Gulf states, with an emphasis on protecting critical infrastructure from cyberattacks.

57. Exercise BOLD QUEST (USA)

Organized by: U.S. Joint Forces Command
Participants: U.S. military and international partners.
Focus: Primarily a coalition warfare exercise, Bold Quest has incorporated cyber components to test the integration of cyber operations with joint and coalition military tactics.

58. Exercise PHOENIX EXPRESS (Multinational)

Organized by: U.S. Africa Command
Participants: African and European nations, U.S. military.
Focus: Focused on improving regional maritime security, with cyber defense components that simulate cyberattacks on naval and coastal infrastructure.

59. Exercise SWORDSMAN (Portugal)

Organized by: Portuguese Armed Forces
Participants: Portuguese military, government agencies, and NATO allies.
Focus: A national defense exercise with a significant cyber component, aimed at protecting Portugal’s critical infrastructure from cyber threats.

60. Exercise BALTIC BREEZE (Baltic States)

Organized by: Baltic States and NATO
Participants: Military cyber units from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and NATO partners.
Focus: Focuses on regional cyber defense collaboration, protecting the Baltic region’s critical infrastructure from cyberattacks.

61. Exercise COBALT BLUE (Netherlands)

Organized by: Royal Netherlands Army Cyber Command
Participants: Dutch military cyber units and NATO allies.
Focus: A national-level exercise designed to protect the Netherlands’ critical infrastructure and military networks from cyber threats.

62. Exercise CRYSTAL GUARDIAN (Italy)

Organized by: Italian Armed Forces
Participants: Italian military, government agencies, and NATO partners.
Focus: A cyber defense exercise focusing on protecting Italy’s critical infrastructure from cyberattacks, with scenarios involving simulated threats to financial and energy sectors.

63. Exercise NORTHERN DEFENDER (Norway)

Organized by: Norwegian Armed Forces
Participants: Norwegian military units and NATO allies.
Focus: Focuses on protecting Norway’s critical infrastructure and military networks from cyber threats, with an emphasis on Arctic and northern regions.

64. Exercise PLATINUM WOLF (Serbia)

Organized by: Serbian Armed Forces
Participants: Serbian military units and international partners.
Focus: A multinational exercise that includes a cyber component, focusing on improving Serbia’s cyber defense capabilities in collaboration with international forces.

65. Exercise ATLANTIC STORM (NATO)

Organized by: NATO
Participants: NATO member states and partner nations.
Focus: A large-scale NATO exercise that includes cyber defense scenarios, focusing on protecting critical infrastructure in the Atlantic region from cyberattacks.

66. Exercise COAST WATCHER (USA)

Organized by: U.S. Coast Guard Cyber Command
Participants: U.S. Coast Guard, government agencies, and international partners.
Focus: A maritime-focused cyber defense exercise aimed at protecting U.S. coastal infrastructure and shipping channels from cyber threats.

67. Exercise SOUTHERN CROSS (Brazil)

Organized by: Brazilian Armed Forces
Participants: Brazilian military, government agencies, and regional partners.
Focus: A regional cyber defense exercise focusing on protecting South America’s critical infrastructure from cyber threats.

68. Exercise DARK CLOUD (Russia)

Organized by: Russian Ministry of Defense
Participants: Russian military cyber units and government agencies.
Focus: A cyber defense exercise aimed at testing Russia’s ability to protect its critical infrastructure and military networks from cyberattacks.

69. Exercise SHIELD OF THE PACIFIC (Multinational)

Organized by: U.S. Pacific Command
Participants: U.S. military and Asia-Pacific partner nations.
Focus: A regional exercise focusing on cyber defense cooperation among Pacific nations, protecting critical infrastructure and military networks from cyber threats.

70. Exercise VIKING (Sweden)

Organized by: Swedish Armed Forces
Participants: Swedish military, government agencies, and international partners.
Focus: A multinational exercise with a strong cyber component, focusing on defending critical infrastructure and military communications in Sweden and neighboring regions.

71. Exercise ANACONDA-DRAGON (Poland)

Organized by: Polish Armed Forces
Participants: Polish military units and NATO allies.
Focus: A large-scale multinational exercise that includes cyber defense components, focusing on protecting critical infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe.

72. Exercise STEADFAST COBALT (NATO)

Organized by: NATO
Participants: NATO member states.
Focus: Focuses on testing and validating the operational readiness of NATO’s communication and information systems, including cybersecurity measures.

73. Exercise WHITE KNIGHT (UAE)

Organized by: United Arab Emirates Armed Forces
Participants: UAE military and regional partners.
Focus: A regional exercise focusing on cybersecurity for critical infrastructure, particularly in the energy and financial sectors.

74. Exercise BALTIC HOST (Baltic States)

Organized by: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
Participants: Baltic states and NATO allies.
Focus: A regional exercise that includes cyber defense scenarios, aimed at protecting the Baltic region’s infrastructure and improving interoperability among NATO and Baltic forces.

75. Exercise MIGHTY SHIELD (USA)

Organized by: U.S. Army Cyber Command
Participants: U.S. military and government agencies.
Focus: Tests the readiness of U.S. military cyber units to defend against and respond to large-scale cyberattacks on military networks.

76. Exercise AURORA EDGE (Sweden)

Organized by: Swedish Armed Forces
Participants: Swedish military and government agencies.
Focus: A national exercise focusing on defending Sweden’s critical infrastructure from cyber threats, particularly in the context of a broader military conflict.

77. Exercise TRIDENT THISTLE (UK)

Organized by: British Army
Participants: UK military and NATO allies.
Focus: A cyber defense exercise that focuses on protecting the UK’s critical infrastructure from cyberattacks, with scenarios involving simulated threats to transportation and energy networks.

78. Exercise RED FLAG RESCUE (USA)

Organized by: U.S. Air Force
Participants: U.S. military and allied air forces.
Focus: Primarily an air combat search and rescue exercise, Red Flag Rescue has increasingly integrated cyber defense components, testing the resilience of communications and command systems.

79. Exercise HIGHLAND WARRIOR (UK)

Organized by: British Army
Participants: UK military, government agencies, and NATO allies.
Focus: A large-scale exercise with a strong focus on cyber defense, aimed at protecting critical infrastructure and military networks in the UK and Europe.

80. Exercise SOUTHERN SHIELD (Argentina)

Organized by: Argentine Armed Forces
Participants: Argentine military and regional partners.
Focus: A regional exercise focused on protecting South America’s critical infrastructure, particularly in the energy and transportation sectors.

81. Exercise ARCTIC WARRIOR (Norway)

Organized by: Norwegian Armed Forces
Participants: Norwegian military units and NATO allies.
Focus: A defense exercise focusing on protecting critical infrastructure in the Arctic region, with cyber defense as a key component.

82. Exercise DESERT STORM II (Jordan)

Organized by: Jordanian Armed Forces
Participants: Jordanian military, regional allies, and NATO partners.
Focus: A regional exercise focusing on cyber defense and the protection of critical infrastructure in the Middle East, particularly in energy and water resources.

83. Exercise CENTRAZBAT (Central Asia)

Organized by: Central Asian states with international support
Participants: Military units from Central Asian nations and international partners.
Focus: A regional exercise that includes cyber defense components, aimed at protecting critical infrastructure in Central Asia from cyber threats.

84. Exercise OPERATION NORDIC (Scandinavia)

Organized by: Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland)
Participants: Scandinavian military units and NATO partners.
Focus: A regional exercise focusing on the protection of critical infrastructure in the Nordic region, with scenarios involving coordinated cyberattacks.

85. Exercise CARIBBEAN SHIELD (Caribbean Nations)

Organized by: Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
Participants: Caribbean nations and international partners.
Focus: A regional exercise focused on cybersecurity for critical infrastructure in the Caribbean, including scenarios involving natural disasters and cyber threats.

86. Exercise GALLOPING GHOST (Australia)

Organized by: Australian Defence Force
Participants: Australian military units and regional partners.
Focus: A national exercise that includes cyber defense scenarios, focusing on protecting Australia’s critical infrastructure from cyberattacks.

87. Exercise EASTERN SHIELD (Eastern Europe)

Organized by: Eastern European nations and NATO
Participants: Military units from Eastern European countries and NATO allies.
Focus: A regional exercise that includes cyber defense scenarios aimed at protecting critical infrastructure in Eastern Europe from cyber threats.

88. Exercise CASPIAN SHIELD (Caspian Region)

Organized by: Caspian Sea nations (Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan)
Participants: Military units from Caspian region nations.
Focus: A regional exercise focused on protecting critical infrastructure and maritime assets in the Caspian Sea region from cyber threats.

89. Exercise DARK WINTER (USA)

Organized by: U.S. Department of Defense
Participants: U.S. military, government agencies, and international partners.
Focus: A tabletop exercise focused on biosecurity, but with integrated cyber defense scenarios, particularly around protecting healthcare and emergency response systems from cyberattacks.

90. Exercise BLACK GOLD (Middle East)

Organized by: GCC nations and partners
Participants: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and international partners.
Focus: A regional exercise that focuses on protecting oil and gas infrastructure from cyber threats, emphasizing the criticality of energy security in the region.

91. Exercise SILENT WARRIOR (Greece)

Organized by: Hellenic Armed Forces
Participants: Greek military units, government agencies, and NATO allies.
Focus: A national defense exercise with a significant cyber component, aimed at protecting Greece’s critical infrastructure and military networks from cyber threats.

92. Exercise SWIFT RESPONSE (Multinational)

Organized by: U.S. Army Europe
Participants: U.S. military and NATO allies.
Focus: Primarily an airborne assault exercise, but with integrated cyber components to simulate cyber threats to military operations and communication systems.

93. Exercise CYBER TITAN (Canada)

Organized by: Canadian Armed Forces and partners
Participants: Canadian military, government agencies, and private sector.
Focus: A national exercise focused on protecting Canada’s critical infrastructure from cyber threats, with scenarios involving large-scale coordinated cyberattacks.

94. Exercise TIGER STRIKE (Malaysia)

Organized by: Malaysian Armed Forces
Participants: Malaysian military and regional partners.
Focus: A regional exercise focusing on cybersecurity for critical infrastructure, particularly in the context of counter-terrorism operations.

95. Exercise EASTERN SHIELD (Japan)

Organized by: Japan Self-Defense Forces
Participants: Japanese military units and U.S. Forces Japan.
Focus: A national exercise focusing on defending Japan’s critical infrastructure from cyber threats, including scenarios involving coordinated cyberattacks on transportation and energy networks.

96. Exercise SOUTHERN WATCH (USA)

Organized by: U.S. Southern Command
Participants: U.S. military and Latin American partners.
Focus: A regional exercise that includes cyber defense scenarios, focusing on protecting critical infrastructure in Latin America and the Caribbean from cyber threats.

97. Exercise CRIMSON SHIELD (UK)

Organized by: British Army Cyber Command
Participants: UK military units and NATO allies.
Focus: A cyber defense exercise focused on protecting the UK’s critical infrastructure from cyber threats, with scenarios involving large-scale simulated cyberattacks.

98. Exercise SABER STRIKE (Eastern Europe)

Organized by: U.S. Army Europe
Participants: U.S. military, NATO allies, and Eastern European partners.
Focus: A multinational exercise that includes cyber defense components, focusing on protecting critical infrastructure in Eastern Europe from cyber threats.

99. Exercise DYNAMIC MONGOOSE (NATO)

Organized by: NATO Maritime Command
Participants: NATO member states.
Focus: Primarily an anti-submarine warfare exercise, but with integrated cyber components focused on protecting naval communications and command systems from cyber threats.

100. Exercise COASTAL STORM (Netherlands)

Organized by: Royal Netherlands Navy
Participants: Dutch military units and NATO allies.
Focus: A maritime-focused cyber defense exercise aimed at protecting the Netherlands’ coastal and maritime infrastructure from cyber threats.

Conclusion

While the scale and specific objectives of military cyber exercises may differ from corporate needs, the underlying principles and lessons are invaluable. By studying and adapting strategies from these exercises, CISOs can enhance their organization’s cyber resilience, foster a culture of security, and better prepare for the evolving threat landscape.

As cyber threats continue to grow in complexity and impact, the line between military and corporate cybersecurity practices will likely continue to blur. Staying informed about military cyber exercises and their outcomes can provide CISOs with a strategic advantage in defending their organizations against current and future cyber threats.