Thales : Builds Cyber Range for Defence

Today, the Defence Cyber Command (DCC) and Thales entered into a contract to set up a sophisticated Cyber training and testing facility. Also referred to as Cyber Range. This took place at the Dumoulin Barracks in Soesterberg. With the Cyber Range, Defence acquires a number of key cyber capabilities, including for education and training of its own personnel.

Defence has a long-standing relationship with Thales in the field of cyber security. For instance, Thales secures Defence NATO communication links and has recently launched a study on Cyber Situational Awareness in collaboration with Defence and TNO. The study looks into how existing SEWACO systems can continue to be used securely in the future. The Cyber Range is a major step in expanding this collaboration.

In the Cyber Range, cyber-attacks and incidents, as well as protective and defence mechanisms can be simulated on different weapon systems, IT environments or satellite links and offensive cyber tactics can be tested. As part of the agreement, Thales will also provide the support for the next three years.

The Cyber Range is an important step for the Defense Cyber Command (DCC). It is a facility in which many forms of cyber operations can be simulated. This is essential to train our staff and to test our systems.
Brigadier General and Commander DCC Hans Folmer

In the Cyber Range, Defence can build and test realistic cyber-specific configurations and situations within a safe research and testing environment, allowing it to advance the build-up of its capacity. Linking the Cyber Range is also a possibility. This provides opportunities for collaboration: within Defence with labs of other units, but also at a national level with other ministries and knowledge centers. And internationally, within the scope of large-scale cyber exercises. The sophisticated virtual environment is not only easily scalable, it can also be frozen at any time during an exercise or training. This allows for easy review, inspection, evaluation and/or analysis of scenarios. The Defence Cyber Command (DCC) forms part of the Dutch Armed Forces and is responsible for developing and preparing cyber capabilities and conducting cyber operations. One of the components of the DCC is the Defence Cyber Expertise Centre (DCEC), which aims to enhance the specific knowledge and the innovative capacity of Defence within the cyber domain. Brigadier General and Commander DCC Hans Folmer: 'The Cyber Range is an important step for the Defense Cyber Command (DCC). It is a facility in which may forms of cyber operations can be simulated. This is essential to train our staff and to test our systems.''

To continuously improve the reliability and security of its sensor, weapon and command & control systems, information systems, networks and digital infrastructure, Defence must not only be able to quickly and effectively respond to new developments, but also acquire new techniques at an early stage. With the Thales Cyber Range, both small-scale and large-scale trainings and exercises can be carried out. In addition to scalability, usability of the system is another big plus. Moreover, it can be linked to various systems, such as ICS/SCADA, mobile applications and so forth.
Dr. Ir. René van Buuren (Director Cyber Security Thales): ''The primary task of Defence is to protect our safety, our troops must at all times be able to rely on the equipment and systems to achieve this. After all, a radio link that is intercepted, thus giving away your position is worthless. This cyber Range allows Defence, in addition to training its people, to control the complexity of the security of its systems. Following on from undertakings such as the Dutch Aerospace Centre (NLR) and Delft Hydraulics, where models are tested in advanced testing facilities, this is the next necessary step in the IT domain. Defence is a pioneer in this.'