An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Oct. 25, 2021

Nevada Guard, university partner to beef up cybersecurity

By Airman 1st Class Thomas Cox, 152nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RENO, Nev. – The 152nd Communications Flight (CF), Nevada Air National Guard, and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) Cyber Club are partnering to evolve each organization’s cybersecurity skills.

“Being able to work with some of the smartest and most competent cyber hackers in the country puts us in a position to develop our skills in a way that very few organizations can,” said Tech. Sgt. Thomas Bruce, 152 CF cyber transport technician.

In June 2020, UNR was designated as a “Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense” by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. The cyber club’s “Red Team” has also been distinguished among the top 10 out of hundreds of teams nationwide for the last eight consecutive National Cyber League competitions.

Many of these students assisted in developing the Nevada Cyber Range (NCR), an immense virtual platform capable of emulating real-world enterprise networks and allowing for a broad scope of training scenarios.

“The goal of collaborating with UNR is to develop what is called ‘Purple Team operations,’ while utilizing the NCR,” said Bruce. “This is where both sides work together to actively develop each other’s skills, research and develop new techniques and tools and practice for real-world response scenarios.”

The scenarios the NCR can run range from denial of service attacks, corporate espionage, cyber terrorism, insider threats and ransomware.

This year, President Biden published an executive order stating cybersecurity requires more than just government action. “The private sector must adapt to the continuously changing threat environment, ensure its products are built and operate securely, and partner with the federal government to foster a more secure cyberspace,” said Biden.

“Working with UNR and their highly skilled staff and students allows us access to technology and training opportunities that we just can’t find in most places,” said Bruce. “If we hope to stand a chance in the future fight, we need to prioritize training of our members on advanced tactics, techniques and procedures.”

 

 

Related Articles
Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System Aircrew and personnel with the Colorado Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, the California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, the U.S. Forest Service, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) prepare two MAFFS-equipped C-130 aircraft to assist with firefighting efforts at the Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Port Hueneme, California, July 15, 2024.
Air National Guard Helps Battle California Fires from the Air
By AFNORTH Public Affairs | July 17, 2024
At the request of the National Interagency Fire Center, U.S. Northern Command deployed two C-130 aircraft equipped with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) from California and Colorado for wildland firefighting...

The 190th Fighter Squadron, 124th Fighter Wing, Idaho Air National Guard, practiced agile combat employment alongside other support agencies, Gowen Field, Idaho, Feb. 1-2, 2024.
Idaho Air Guard Pilots Refuel A-10s During Training Exercise
By Maj. Bonnie Blakely, | Feb. 6, 2024
GOWEN FIELD, Idaho - A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots from the 190th Fighter Squadron, part of the 124th Fighter Wing, Idaho Air National Guard, participated in a training exercise Feb. 1-2.The pilots landed at Jocelyn Field, Magic...

U.S. Air National Guard Airmen with the 146th Airlift Wing test the functionality of a Modular Airborne Firefighting System  unit loaded inside the cargo bay of a C-130J aircraft at Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Port Hueneme, California, Aug. 29, 2023. The 146th Airlift Wing has been called up to help the U.S. Forest Service fight wildfires across the United States.
California Air Guard Mobilized for Aerial Firefighting
By Master Sgt. Nicholas Carzis, | Aug. 31, 2023
PORT HUENEME, Calif. - Two C-130J Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped aircraft assigned to the California Air National Guard’s 146th Airlift Wing and the Air Force Reserve’s 302nd Airlift Wing, Colorado Springs,...