Mission rehearsal is the final, penultimate component of preparing cyber warfighters, requiring a deep understanding of network dynamics and their impact on cyber situational awareness. A comprehensive modeling and simulation platform integrates detailed propagation models, signal transmission simulations, and a vast library of cyberattack and defense models. These platforms enable cyber warfighters to construct and analyze complex wired and wireless communication networks, including cellular, enterprise, and battlefield networks.
Level Up Mission Rehearsal Using Network Modeling Software
Keysight EXata’s network modeling software creates an immersive virtual battlefield for cyber warfighter training. This solution provides realistic simulations of intricate networks, various cyber and kinetic attack scenarios, and impact analysis. Warfighters learn to comprehend, anticipate, and mitigate cyber threats in complex battlefield network environments. Here are five steps to bring all your cyber training together into an optimal mission rehearsal:
- Understand Data Center Roles: Train your warfighters to understand how data centers provide compute resources for the mobile core (5G). This foundational knowledge aids in mission development and rehearsal.
- Simulate Missions in Controlled Environments: Using network modeling, simulate the missions in a controlled environment using the same tools warfighters will use in the field. Tailor rehearsals to specific missions, considering factors like terrain, enemy forces, friendly support, and contingencies.
- Cyber-Kinetic Mission Scenarios: Train your team on specific scenarios, such as cyber-kinetic missions. For example, simulate a bomb being dropped on one of your network elements (NEs). Have your warfighters set up the mission domain by instantiating all the NEs and user equipment (UEs) on a 3D terrain map.
- Cyber Situational Awareness and Network Analysis: After defining the cyber-physical mission scenario, guide trainees through various cyber situational awareness and network analysis exercises. For instance, they can run an app to observe the data plane throughput achieved by the UE.
- Repeat and Refine Exercises: The platform allows trainees to repeat exercises, select different NE configurations, switch to different areas of responsibility (AOR), alter network architecture, and replay exercises to observe and understand potential impacts. This iterative process helps them leverage their network understanding to strategically deploy kinetic effects.
At this final stage of training, your warfighters bring together their network modeling tool with all of your wargaming tools like AFSIM, Command Professional Edition, or OneSAF. Here are just some of the things they will learn:
- Operational Proficiency:
- Operating across interconnected domains (cyber and physical)
- Conducting mission rehearsal exercises
- Situational Awareness:
- Analyzing network vulnerabilities and potential attack vectors
- Assessing the effectiveness of cyber defense strategies
- Simulation and Modeling:
- Creating high-fidelity models of mobile networks
- Using live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) environments for training
Real-World Application: Maritime Domain Example
Consider a scenario where warfighters use a modeling and simulation tool to visualize vulnerabilities in a maritime domain. They can see how these vulnerabilities can be exploited as attack ingress points. Watch a red team/blue team wargaming exercise simulating a pirate attack at sea in our latest demo How to Optimize Mission Rehearsal for Cyber Warfighters demo video.
Ensuring Cyber Readiness Through Advanced Mission Rehearsal Training
Investing in advanced mission rehearsal training for cyber warfighters is essential for maintaining security and operational effectiveness. By leveraging network modeling software, you can provide a comprehensive, hands-on training experience that prepares warfighters for real-world cyber threats. Visit our Use Case: How to Optimize Mission Rehearsal for Cyber Warfighters to learn more about how EXata can help you optimize your mission rehearsal programs and ensure your team is ready for the challenges of the digital battlefield.