LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Military leaders from the United States, Brazil, Poland, and Portugal participated in a media roundtable during International Partners Day at Cyber Shield 2026, providing more than 15 media representatives with an inside look at the exercise and the role international partnerships play in strengthening cyber defense.
The panel featured Brig. Gen. Russell McGuire, Lt. Col. Seth Barun, Portugal Capt. Gonçalo Atanásio, Brazil Capt. Renato Zaroubin, and System Administration Auditing Network Security Fellow and Technical Director Tim Conway, who discussed the evolving cyber threat landscape, international collaboration, and lessons learned from recent cybersecurity challenges.
Panelists answered questions from members of the media on different topics ranging from recent cyber incidents, emerging threats, and the importance of international cooperation on defending important systems.
Speakers highlighted the need to shift from a passive approach to a proactive cybersecurity mindset, anticipating threats rather than responding after the fact. They also emphasized how Cyber Shield provides an opportunity for partner nations to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and strengthen collective cyber defense.