ADF deploys cyber threat simulator

A tool built to simulate real-world cyber threat environments is being leveraged by personnel to bolster cyber warfare capability.

The Royal Australian Air Force's No. 462 Squadron and Joint Project team 9131 (JP 9131) are leveraging CyberSim, a simulation tool used to prepare warfighters for the future battlespace.

Originally developed in-house by No. 462 Squadron, the system supports the training and upskilling of specialists in a controlled environment known as the Defence Cyber Range.

CyberSim is capable of incorporating thousands of computers and associated network traffic, enabling mission networks and their traffic to be replicated.

“This Simulated Key Terrain helps deliver two capabilities; a raise, train and sustain function needed to develop 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,” Commanding Officer No. 462 Squadron Wing Commander Duncan 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.”

WGCDR Scott said cyber warfare analysts and officers use the technology to prepare for potential threats by simulating real-world environments generated by Threat Emulation Operators who imitate the TTPs of known threat actors.

“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 cyber space threats,” WGCDR Scott added.