The Illinois Army and Air National Guard has begun their yearly cyber defense training to better prepare for cyber-attacks.
Cyber Shield is an annual unclassified exercise to train and develop cyber forces in defensive measures and cyber incident response of internal computer networks.
This year’s focus is on protecting supply chain attacks and the Department of Defense’s information network.
The exercise has the red team made up of industry experts and the blue team that defends the network from cyber-attacks.
Cyber Shield Exercise Director George Battistelli says the red team provides threat emulators to train the cyber guard at the highest levels.
“You know, this is the most professional group that brings extra civilian skills to that. So to address those unknown threats that haven't popped up yet or had discovered, as well as the evolving threats from wherever they come from. Our red team has some of the best folks in the industry, and they're able to recruit additional better folks to come challenge our blue team.”
More than 800 guard members throughout the country participate in Cyber Shield training.
