The annual exercise of NATO countries’ cyber forces “Cyber Coalition 2023” has begun.  This year, Poland is acting as the command for the countries in the region. “This is undoubtedly an expression of the allies’ great confidence in our Cyber Defence Forces (WOC) and proof that Polish cyber soldiers are world-class”, says WOC Component Command spokesman, Lt Col Przemysław Lipczyński.

Exercise ‘Cyber Coalition 2023’ is the largest cyber military exercise of its kind in the world. It involves NATO allies, as well as European Union institutions and several partner countries including Switzerland, Sweden, Ukraine, and Japan.

The Cyber Coalition exercise has been held annually since 2008, with the aim of strengthening the North Atlantic Alliance’s ability to deter, defend and counter threats in cyberspace. This year’s scenario involves a cyber-attack on a fictitious allied state.

“However, the activities that will be carried out during the exercise will be based on actual threats, such as cyber attacks on ICT systems, critical infrastructure and supply chains”, said the spokesperson.

The Cyber Defence Force is expected to reach full operational readiness in 2024. They currently number around 6,500 soldiers and personnel, serving at the Cyberspace Defence Forces Component Command in Legionowo and 11 subordinate units, including the Regional IT Centres, which provide support to other military units in the area of IT and cyber security.

The WOCs are capable of operating across the full spectrum – on the one hand for active defence (i.e. responding to cyber attacks), as well as for reconnaissance and offensive operations. They are crucial, so that the enemy knows that attacks on Polish cyberspace can be met with an adequate response.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński