US Senators John McCain, John Barrasso, and Sheldon Whitehouse discussed cyber security during their working visit to the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence today.
As cyber security is deeply integrated into national defence, the senators emphasized the need to understand ones adversaries. In particular, nations have to account for the foreseeable actions of other parties when developing capabilities in order to be prepared to defend against unacceptable behaviour. Additionally, current capacities, future of cyber warfare, and international norms governing the sector were talked about.
Furthermore, Senators McCain, Whitehouse, Barrasso took an active interest in exercises that help nations prepare for a variety of cyber incidents. In particular, they focused on US participation in the world’s largest international live fire technical cyber defence exercise Locked Shields, organized annually by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence.
The Tallinn-based NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence is a NATO-accredited knowledge hub focused on interdisciplinary applied research and development as well as consultations, trainings and exercises in the field of cyber security. The Centre’s mission is to enhance capability, cooperation and information-sharing between NATO, Allies and Partners in cyber defence. The Centre is staffed and financed by sponsoring nations and contributing participants.