A growing number of government agencies throughout the United States are seeking to enhance their cybersecurity measures. The Florida Center for Cybersecurity at the University of South Florida, known as Cyber Florida, has teamed up with SimSpace to educate the Sunshine State’s 1 million state and local employees in cyber defense strategies utilizing military-grade cyber ranges.
“One of the key focuses of the military is conducting mission rehearsals. You should practice before executing,” stated SimSpace CEO and former Air Force Colonel William “Hutch” Hutchinson. “In real scenarios, this is something that the private sector could benefit from as well.”
Hutchinson, who was an F-15 fighter pilot, participated in Red Flag exercises designed post-Vietnam War to enhance combat readiness.
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“A crucial takeaway was that if a fighter pilot survived their first 10 combat missions, their chances of success significantly increased,” Hutchinson remarked. “Thus, they developed training exercises to replicate those initial missions.”
Former Air Force Colonel William “Hutch” Hutchinson, an F-15 fighter pilot, now serves as CEO of SimSpace, providing military-style training to civilians in both public and private sectors. (U.S. Air Force)
Hutchinson adapted that training for U.S. Cyber Command, leading exercises dubbed Cyber Flag.
“The goal was to equip commanders with insights on how we might perform during potential future cyber conflicts,” Hutchinson explained.
As CEO of SimSpace, Hutchinson is now focused on civilian education in cybersecurity via military-style training programs.
“We see a public-private partnership,” stated Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla. “The military, along with organizations like Cyber Florida, struggles to attract individuals who often work long hours and are highly engaged in hacking activities. The reserves often bridge this gap, as they gain civilian skills that frequently surpass government capabilities regarding new technologies.”
In recent years, numerous state legislatures, including Florida, have enacted laws aimed at enhancing cyber defense capabilities. Michigan initiated a volunteer cybersecurity reserve force concept in 2013, and other states like Wisconsin, Ohio, Texas, California, and Maryland have established similar reserve programs. States such as Oklahoma and Arizona have implemented state cyber commands to safeguard their information systems and data.
“The threat is considerable. When considering future major conflicts with near-peer adversaries, the initial strike is more likely to be a cyberattack rather than a traditional assault,” warned Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz. “Our adversaries, including China, Iran, Russia, and now North Korea, have heavily invested in cyber capabilities. We must enhance our workforce to effectively defend our nation.”
SimSpace CFO James Gerber noted that Cyber Florida has expanded its offerings by providing individualized training within academically verified practice environments, well beyond what most states are implementing.
“They are able to concentrate on preparing for the latest types of impactful events that governors and mayors need assurance they are ready to face. It instills a sense of confidence among them,” Gerber stated.
The Florida Center for Cybersecurity at the University of South Florida, or Cyber Florida, has partnered with SimSpace to train 1 million state and local employees in cyberdefense tactics using military-grade cyber ranges. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The cyber ranges are interactive simulated platforms that create scenarios for various government sectors, including health care and energy, focusing on potential threats unique to those areas.
“A decade ago, while there were some options available, nothing compares to what exists now,” remarked Cyber Florida’s Cyber Range Director, Bruce Caulkins. “This development significantly enhances users’ comprehension of their systems and networks and how to respond appropriately.”
Both state and federal governments have encountered workforce shortages in cyberdefense roles. Lawmakers have identified challenges in attracting talent within both the public and private sectors.
“There are numerous job vacancies. The challenge lies in recruiting individuals into what are often perceived as STEM disciplines,” Kelly noted. “We have made strides with bipartisan efforts like the Chips and Science Act, but we must focus more on cybersecurity, especially in Arizona.”
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., left, and ranking member Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., discuss the National Defense Authorization Act during a House Rules Committee meeting at the U.S. Capitol on June 11, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images)
The federal government is also taking steps to enhance its cyber defenses. The fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act includes initiatives for establishing a civilian cybersecurity reserve to better equip agencies in response to cyberattacks.
“In the recent defense bill, we established a civilian cybersecurity core that will serve as a liaison between the civilian tech industry and military national security, as well as Homeland Security, uniting these two realms,” Waltz noted.
Waltz emphasized that bolstering partnerships with the private sector is vital for countering threats from adversaries such as China.
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“Perfect defense is not achievable,” Waltz stated. “We aim to prevent all breaches. Particularly with regard to China, we should adopt a mutually-assured destruction strategy similar to our nuclear era, which implies that we can also target your economy and critical infrastructure if you disrupt ours.”
