It's made by analysts, IT strategy auditors, computer scientists... The Cyberspace Command of the Territorial defence Army was formed a fewer years ago. “We are prepared to defy cyber attacks, minimize its effects, recreate the hacked system,” says Colonel Piotr Osiński, squad Commander, who is to be converted into a cyberspace action unit.
Colonel Piotr Osiński commander of the Cyberspace Command of the Territorial Defence Army.
The formation of the DWOT Cyberspace Action squad began in 2019. Is the squad complete?
Colonel Piotr Osiński: Most of the tasks before us have been carried out. We've completed 80% of the staff. They are monitoring specialists, IT strategy auditors and cybersecurity, people conducting penetration tests, which include checking the susceptibility of systems to hacking, programmers and artificial intelligence experts. It is simply a possible that allows the implementation of a full spectrum of activities in cyberspace, both defensive, exploratory and offensive.
Are there only professional soldiers or volunteers in the team?
The squad presently has about 70 soldiers. It's mostly made by volunteers. They work in their competitions all day, in civilian companies. They shall service in a timely manner and shall stay in constant readiness to act. Of course, they must complete the yearly training calendar developed for WOT, i.e. 1 rotational training – weekends per period and 14 days integrated training – erstwhile a year.
What are their tasks?
Above all, training and improvement of competences in a broad range. another tasks arise from the needs of the superior, but we are besides at the disposal of the Commander of the Cyberspace defence Army as a supporting element. We supply training on cyber threats in another units and collaborative structures, e.g. in local governments. We support exploratory activity in the infosphere for cell information activities, but we besides supply specialist support for another WOT units, for example in case of various crisis incidents concerning information systems. The soldiers on our squad are inactive standing by in case there are threats. An example of this was recent situation on the border with Belarus. There, our soldiers from the municipality provided training for staff, conducted surveys of information infrastructure, advised on the appropriate safety of specified systems.
Can only experts apply to the Team, or is there area for those who just want to learn the trade?
Over the last six months, 150 candidates have applied to us. The number of volunteers has exceeded our current occupation opportunities, but this has allowed us to conduct a close selection of candidates. So people with quite a few experience, experts in this field, went to the team. The Team's improvement plan involves expanding the number of jobs and developing the structure. possibly future needs will make us welcome soldiers with little specialist experience and train them.
How do you join cyberteritorians? Does the road to the squad lead through military recruitment and 16-day training, or is it adequate to have expertise?
The procedure is simple. Candidates may submit applications to the address [email protected]. We verify them and organize a substantive test. Then there are interviews with specialists in various fields. Civilians who will be qualified start standard in WOT 16-day training. Instead, soldiers are immediately transferred to our Team.
What about military requirements for physical fitness? Can DWOT Cyberspatial Action squad soldiers, given the specificity of the service, anticipate a concession fee on this matter?
There's no easy treatment here. The WOT commander's order sets out the requirements for physical education candidates. And in this case, everything is standard.
What tasks can cyberterritorians be directed to?
The scenarios may vary. Our soldiers keep constant readiness and are prepared to defy cyber attacks, minimize its effects, recreate the hacked strategy and safe traces of hostile interference. For example, they can supply support if an individual loses the ability to administer his or her resources as a consequence of an attack or accident. They are ready to form local cybersecurity teams in the event of a crisis that affects, for example, infrastructure outside the MON systems, including civil, e.g. self-government. The actual tasks depend on the plans of the commander of the Cyberspace defence Army, and the cyberterritorials as a separate structure will support WOC activities.
Does the Cyberspace Action squad only work for WOT, or does it besides support operational troops?
This is the subject of an agreement with Commander of Cyberspace defence Army Component About our destiny. There are scenarios in which our squad and in future the unit will be subject to operational control by the component commander. This besides applies to joint exercises that we want to carry out more and more.
And are the soldiers in the DWOT Cyberspace Action squad presently active in military training?
We participate in various national and abroad projects, as ‘Cyber Coalition’, subsequent editions ‘Locked Shields’, "Cyber Baltic". As for these fresh exercises, next year we will be hosting this project. It brings together global structures of cyberspace troops – non-professional.
Has the squad been certified yet?
We took part in last year's “Piorun 24” certification exercises. We besides conducted an assessment of training soldiers after the phase of specialist courses. However, this is not yet the mark certification of the team, which would show the full ability of the unit to act – complete completion and implementation of the full cycle of training.
What are the plans for the improvement of the DWOT Cyberspace Action Team?
This year we anticipate to receive fresh jobs that will let us to set up another section, consisting of 16 posts. In 2027, the squad will be converted into a unit of cyberspace activities. This means that our teams will be deployed in different voivodships according to the territorial division that is in place in WOT, which is 1 in each voivodship.
