Our friends from SecNews.gr presented something quite pioneering for Greece. The Cyber Protector 2014 a practical hands-on program for practicing cyber defense techniques online. We republish the article and appreciate that such moves promote the cognitive level of a constantly evolving space. Internet security is an issue that has come to the fore more and more, and will involve businesses, individuals and governments in the coming years. Therefore, since prevention is always the best protection, such events can be considered as necessary.
Cyber Protector 2014 "tested" cyber countermeasures in Greece in real time!
The Cyber Protector 2014 is a hands-on program for practicing cyber-defense techniques based on real-time attack between participants and the creation of security scenarios. The Cyber Protector 2014 lasted 2 days, starting from March 18, 2014 with participation among others General Staff of National Defense of Greece - National Defense General Staff - and six additional teams of online events (CERT Teams).
It is worth noting his participation University of Piraeus under his distinguished professor Christos Xenakis Department of Digital Systems with particularly important work in the field of security information technology. In addition, we were active as we were able to know University of Patras, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Democritus University of Thrace but also the TEI of Thessaly (Larissa).
The service Cyber Protector 2014 απαρτίζεται από ένα σύνολο ασκήσεων σε πραγματικό χρόνο (Blue/Red Team Cyber Defence Exercise (CDX), όπου οι συμμετέχοντες πρέπει να “υπερασπιστούν” προεγκατεστημένα δίκτυα που αποτελούνται από έναν αριθμό εικονικών μηχανημάτων από επιθέσεις που εξαπολύει η “Κόκκινη ομάδα”. Οι επιθέσεις πραγματοποιούνται με πολλές και διαφορετικές εξελιγμένες τεχνικές σαν αυτές που χρησιμοποιούνται σήμερα από τους hackers-κυβερνοκατασκόπους. Σε αυτές περιλαμβάνονται στοχευμένες επιθέσεις, κοινωνική μηχανική, εσωτερικές απειλές, επιθέσεις refusalς παροχής υπηρεσιών, zero-day exploits and creating custom malware undetectable by common antiviruses..
The goal of the exercise was to offer new and unique opportunities for online security teams to be "Trained to fight" αλλά και να εξοικειωθούν με τις τελευταίες επιθέσεις στο διαδίκτυο και τις βέλτιστες πρακτικές άμυνας, τεχνικές και τακτικές. Αυτό επιτρέπει σε ομάδες ασφάλειας Υπουργείων και κυβερνητικών υπηρεσιών να αναπτύξουν διαδικασίες και μια δυναμική στρατηγική για την υπεράσπιση των υποδομών τους έναντι «πραγματικών» επιθέσεων στο διαδίκτυο. Επίσης, τους επιτρέπει μέσω των «αποτελεσμάτων της επίθεσης», να αυξήσουν την ασφάλειά τους και να εφαρμόσουν καλύτερες τεχνικές στο επιχειρησιακό τους περιβάλλον, βασιζόμενοι στις δοκιμασμένες πλέον μεθόδους infringementς που είχαν επιλεγεί κατά την άσκηση.
The results of this truly unique experience for the players were admittedly exceptional. He highlighted the need for additional application of technical and additional exercises with practical seminars (hands-on), such as Cyber Protector 2014, in order for the participants to increase their ability to respond to cyber attacks and their technical skills. Finally, as they stated, it gave the participants the opportunity to evaluate the current security measures they use in their infrastructure.
It was the first time that, the Department of Digital Systems of the University of Piraeus participated in such a high level of Internet Governance.
As our Assistant Professor Christos told us. Xenakis, according to the exercise scenario, the University had been exposed to a very sophisticated online real-time attack. It was a unique opportunity to test our abilities and abilities, but also to train for cyber defense with the best techniques. Cyber Protector 2014 ήταν μια τεράστια επιτυχία για όλους τους συμμετέχοντες, καθώς και ένα ουσιαστικό αποτέλεσμα από την πραγματική cooperation μεταξύ του ιpolitical, academic and public sectors which is a success of paramount importance for an applied Internet Civil War framework.
For more information, please visit: https://cyberprotector2014.com
It is worth highlighting the particular interest we have recently observed in higher education institutions with regard to IT security issues. A few years ago, Internet security was not even a theoretical reference point for Greek universities. Now dcertain scientists, with a rich research project, have set security as one of the most important fields of their research interest while collaborating with both the public and the private sector.
As SecNews we welcome with great interest (but also a critical mood) such efforts aiming, through collectivity and synergies, to confront the ever-increasing asymmetric cyber-threats or cyber-terrorism against critical infrastructure and not only! It is enough to support such groups and their work by their political leaders and most importantly: any results of the exercises should not simply remain on the desk of an "omniscient political decision-maker" (as is usually the case with issues they do not understand) but should proceed to immediate implementation with the aim of establishing a proper online defense policy, similar to that of the most developed countries.
