DCM4: International Cooperation on Cyber Defence in the Indo-Pacific

^{This article has been machine translated. You can find the original article in German here.}

For the third year in a row, a joint team of students from UniBw M and IT experts from the Cyber Reserve participated in the Defence Cyber Marvel (DCM4). This year, the focus of the fourth edition of the multinational cyber defence exercise was the Indo-Pacific region.

Realistic training scenario

The exercise simulated realistic cyber attacks on networks and structures in South East Asia. German cyber specialists as part of the international “Blue Teams” defended the systems against attacks by the “Red Teams”, whose role was performed by parts of the British Army Cyber Association. The task of the defenders was, for example, to identify existing vulnerabilities, fend off attacks and collect data for further threat analysis. A special feature for the Bundeswehr specialists, who operated remotely from the Research Institute CODE, was that they worked from 11 PM to 9 AM, as the time zone of the exercise also corresponded to that of the Indo-Pacific (UTC +9).

_{As the DCM4 was hosted in South Korea, the participants in Munich had to work at night during the training week. (Photo: © Bundeswehr/Bellgrau)}

Bundeswehr team combines practice and research

A total of around 1,500 participants from more than 27 countries took part in DCM4. As in previous years, the 15-strong German team consisted of officers who are currently studying at the Bundeswehr University Munich as well as specialists from the Bundeswehr Cyber Reserve. While the reservists brought their experience and practical knowledge to the table, the students contributed their current knowledge from cyber security research. In addition, the young officers took on leadership responsibility during the exercise and gained experience. The reservists supported them in their tasks.

_{The German team consisted of student officers from UniBw M and members of the Bundeswehr Cyber Reserve. (Photo: Bundeswehr/Bellgrau)}

Whether Linux or Windows specialists, the 36 international teams worked together both fast and efficient despite their different backgrounds and languages. Experience from previous exercises helped to quickly develop a common understanding and optimize cooperation. DCM4 once again demonstrated the importance of international cooperation in cyber defense.

Further Information on the „Defence Cyber Marvel“ exercise (in German):
https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/organisation/cyber-und-informationsraum/uebungen-cir/defence-cyber-marvel

^{Teaser: For the third time, a joint team of active and reserve soldiers from FI CODE took part in the Defense Cyber Marvel. (Photo: Bundeswehr/Bellgrau)}