South Carolina National Guard assists with cybersecurity readiness

Photo By Sgt. Flonasia Neals | U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers with the 125th Cyber Protection Battalion, South Carolina National Guard, work with the city of Beaufort and other regional organizations as they conduct their first ever cybersecurity exercise March 24, 2021 at the Beaufort Police Department training facility in Beaufort, South Carolina. Soldiers worked with representatives from the South Carolina Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity organization to mentor leadership from the city of Beaufort; Beaufort County government including the Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management; Beaufort Memorial Hospital; Beaufort and Port Royal Police and Fire Departments; and Beaufort Jasper Water & Sewer Authority to respond to complex scenarios of simulated threats and attacks during the daylong exercise. Soldiers helped to provide a real life experience on how best to respond to a cyber attack. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by U.S. Army Spc. Flonasia Neals, South Carolina National Guard)  

BEAUFORT, SC, UNITED STATES

03.25.2021

Story by Spc. Flonasia Neals 

South Carolina National Guard

BEAUFORT, S.C.- U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers with the 125th Cyber Protection Battalion, South Carolina National Guard, partnering with South Carolina Enforcement Division’s South Carolina Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity (SC-CIC), assisted the city of Beaufort and other surrounding organizations at the Beaufort Police Department training facility March 24, 2021, in the city’s first practical cyber exercise consisting of regional leaders developing a plan to respond to cyber threats and attacks.

Participants in this exercise were instructed to give logical responses to realistic cyber-focused scenarios. The Soldiers guided other participants in properly assessing and responding to practical cybersecurity threats and attacks by providing knowledge of tactical support and experiences to help members formulate real life operational contingency plans. The Soldiers who participated in the cybersecurity exercise were led by U.S. Army Lt. Col. William “Mel” Medlin, 125th Cyber Protection Battalion commander.

Key figureheads for the city of Beaufort were in attendance and participated in scenarios during the daylong event, including Beaufort county sheriff’s office and emergency management; Beaufort water and sewer authority; Beaufort and Port Royal police and fire departments; and Beaufort Memorial Hospital.

Stephen Murray, Beaufort mayor and South Carolina Coast Cyber Center vice chair, explained to participants the importance of communicating amongst the organizations present to help keep each other and the citizens of Beaufort protected.

The South Carolina National Guard partners with Department of Defense, federal, state, and local governments, and corporate partners to better understand the threats and impacts of a cyber-attack. The South Carolina National Guard uses collaborative training and exercises to build relationships in order to improve cybersecurity practices within the state.

• Date Taken: 03.25.2021
• Date Posted: 03.25.2021 08:47
• Story ID: 392243
• Location: BEAUFORT, SC, US