C y b e r Se cu r i ty
Simulating Advanced Cyber Threats Number 462 Squadron and Joint Project Team 9131 are enabling the warfighter in the cyber domain through the support of a simulated cyber environment known as the CyberSim. The CyberSim was originally designed in house by 462SQN to fulfill the need to train and upskill cyber specialists in a coordinated and controlled environment. Commanding Officer 462SQN, Wing Commander Duncan Scott said the work his squadron was doing alongside JP9131 was using innovation to move the capability into the future. 462 Squadron and JP9131 are enabling the war fighter in the cyber domain through the creation and support of a simulated cyber environment known as the Defence Cyber Range, which is an evolution of the Air Force CyberSim,” WGCDR Scott said. The capability provided by the CyberSim allows for the potential simulation of thousands of computers and their associated network traffic. Using such simulations, critical mission networks and their traffic can be replicated. “This Simulated Key Terrain helps deliver two capabilities; a raise, train and sustain function needed to develop
Aircraftwoman Lauren Campbell (l) and Corporal Natalie Ekonomopoulos work on cyber research systems at 462SQN. Defence image.
a cyber-workforce and the second being a cyber-range for cyber warfare operators to develop/perfect their tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) to address the evolving threats,” WGCDR Scott said. “The simulated environment is used by many of the sections within the squadron such as the Cyber
Vulnerability Investigation Team who use the CyberSim to simulate full networks and conduct training for Vulnerability Assessments to prepare the team for what they may expect to see when assessing live Air Force systems. Practice within the CyberSim also allows the development of new processes and tools in a safe environment to ensure that Air Force systems are comprehensively assessed and secured.” 462SQN’s Cyber Protection Flight use the CyberSim to train in dynamic environments of both simulated mission systems and networks. “These Cyber Warfare Analysts and Cyber Warfare Officers defend against emulated real-world threats generated by our Threat Emulation Operators who imitate the TTPs of known threat actors,” Wing Commander Scott said. “The continued support and infrastructure upgrades from JP9131 will provide even greater depth of training and lead to increased realism of training environments to simulate the highly contested cyber terrain that the ADF is entrusted to defend from cyberspace threats. “I’m incredibly proud of our team and the innovation they’re employing to move our capability forward and keep up with ever emerging threats.”
SRC Awarded Defence’s Intelligence Mission Data Contract SRC’s Australian subsidiary has been awarded a contract with the Defence’s Intelligence Group for the delivery of Intelligence Mission Data services. Electronic warfare specialists SRC Aus confirmed that the company had been successfully awarded a fouryear contact with the Department of Defence Intelligence Group for the delivery of Intelligence Mission Data services, valued at $47.9 million. It is expected that the contract would help to ensure that Defence’s intelligence platforms maintain their situational awareness and survivability.
The contract includes IMD collation and production services delivered by the company to support the Australian Defence Force, as well as training services and the development of facilities to meet Defence’s data needs. "This marks a continuation of the partnership between SRC and the Australian government and an important step in the expansion of Australia's sovereign mission data capability," Darren Robertson, vicepresident of SRC Australia, said. "It demonstrates a significant investment in Australian industry, and
we look forward to working with our Defence partner to help ensure that our warfighters can complete their missions and return home safely." The contract follows a previous IMD contract between SRC Aus and Defence in 2017, which leveraged SRC Aus’ US-based parent company's expertise to help build sovereign capabilities for the defence intelligence industry. The parent company has been operating for 40 years, across data mining, intelligence analysis, operational support and training as part of the Electronic Warfare Integrated Reprogramming Database. 77
