Thomas Pringle
Question:684. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Defence if Defence Forces personnel have been involved in exercises (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1295/22]
View answerWednesday, 19 January 2022
Questions (684, 685)
Thomas Pringle
Question:685. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Defence if Defence Forces personnel have taken part in the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence Locked Shields exercise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1296/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 684 and 685 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, cyber attacks pose a major challenge to the security of the State, to our society, to our national socio-economic wellbeing and to the security of our citizens. We only need to look at the recent attack on the HSE to understand the impact cyber attacks can have on the health and wellbeing of our citizens. I am sure the Deputy will agree that we should take all steps available to us to ensure that we have the capacity and capability within the public service to secure and defend our systems from cyber attacks. Cyber exercises are a key component in preparing civil and military personnel to protect and to respond to cyber attacks on our systems.
The primary role of the Defence Forces in the cyber domain is to ensure the security of their own systems both at home and overseas. Participation in international cyber exercises is a key element in developing and testing this capability in defending the Defence Forces networks and in responding to attacks when they occur.
A key focus of Ireland’s participation in NATOs Partnership for Peace is to support Defence Forces capability development and interoperability, particularly in evolving capability domains. To this end, in the cyber domain, Defence Force personnel have participated in a range of exercises including the NATO exercise Cyber Coalition. The aim of this exercise is to enhance coordination, cooperation and information sharing across the Cyber Space domain. Cyber Coalition presents a very real opportunity for the Defence Forces to enhance its capability and training in this increasingly important domain.
Defence Forces personnel did not participate in any of the other exercises listed in the question during 2021, nor did they participate in 2018 exercise referenced.
The NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre (CCDCOE) provides a leading role in the development of capacity and capability to develop cyber security capacity and respond to cyber attacks. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has the lead role across Government on our engagement with the Centre. A member of the Defence Forces is currently on secondment to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications to act as a National Expert in the CCDCOE for a period of two years. Participation in the CCDCOE provides valuable training, experience and insights which enhance the capacity of Defence, Communications and the National Cyber Security Centre to protect our networks.
Personnel from the National Cyber Security Centre, along with the seconded Defence Forces' Officer, participated in the Locked Shields exercise in 2021, an annual cyber defence exercise organised by the Centre as part of the high-level strategic element of the exercise.
Question No. 685 answered with Question No. 684.