NEW ORLEANS – The National Guard Bureau hosted the second Deployable Defensive Cyber Operations Systems-Modular (DDS-M) Master Gunner Course at Louisiana National Guard’s Jackson Barracks Oct. 28 to Nov. 7.
The course, facilitated by Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors and members of the Maryland National Guard’s 169th Cyber Protection Team, was designed for National Guard Cyber Protection Team members. The 20 Soldiers participating represented 12 states and the U.S Army Reserve. Course graduates will be designated as DDS-M trainers for their state’s CPT element or CPT detachment.
CPTs respond to cyber events, securing and restoring affected networks by defeating threats and restoring normal operations. These teams comprise Soldiers with cyber expertise in their civilian and military careers.
Each state is authorized to have two DDS-M master gunners. Guardsmen from Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin attended the two-week course.
“The training has been positive, and the facilities have been great,” said a member of CPT 169, Maryland National Guard. “This training will improve readiness for cyber teams Guard-wide because they’ll be more qualified trainers capable of training new Soldiers as teams receive them.”
The DDS-M program is a customized, deployable compute-and-data-storage system that supports CPTs’ suite of Defensive Cyber Operations platforms and tools.
The program provides a highly modular and scalable solution, allowing the warfighter to conduct DCO missions anywhere in the world. Its reduced form factor and enhanced computer and storage capabilities offer robust performance, high scalability and maximum portability — essential elements in maintaining positive control of the DDS-M while ensuring maximum functionality.
“The class highlights how the Army conducts defensive training using the DDS kits, and it reinforces the importance of keeping skills and techniques up to date for cyber technicians and intelligence personnel,” said an attendee. “Cyber is an ever-changing environment.”
An estimated 2,200 cyber attacks occur daily, impacting more than 800,000 people per year and costing the United States more than $6 trillion, based on the last analysis conducted in 2022. These attacks often immobilize the operations of businesses, corporations and industries nationwide.
The National Guard currently operates 11 cyber protection teams across 23 states.