Speaker: Gatis GRAUDIŅŠ Language: English CONFidence: http://confidence.org.pl/pl/

1. CYBER DEFENCE UNIT OF
THE NATIONAL GUARD OF LATVIA

2. Cyber realm of Latvia

3. Trained cyber reserve
Who maintains snowplows for a blizzard of a Century?

4. National Guard of Latvia is integral part of the
National Armed Forces with aim to involve
citizens of the Republic of Latvia in the
protection of the state territory and interests of
the society.
National Guard participate in the state defense
planning and execution according to the tasks
set out by the law.
Why National Guard of Latvia?

5. Basic principles of National Guard
•
Patriotism
•
Voluntarism
•
Participation during free time (from everyday work)
•
State compensates participation up to 30 days per year
•
Participation in the international missions – voluntary
•
Possibilities to build synergies among various different
professions using their knowledge and experience

6. Cyber Defense Unit – the Task
To provide support for CERT.LV and National
Armed Forces in responding to the IT security
incidents and mitigation of the consequences.

7. Timeline
•
January 2012 – Situation analysis, concept development (CCD
CoE involved)
•
February 2013 – Ministry of Defense decision to create the
unit, looking for key people
•
July 2013 – Paperwork, Unit included in the NAF structure
•
February 2014 – Unit established, personnel and equipment
tables approved
•
January 2015 – Cyber security centre established

8. Personnel
• The Cyber Defence Unit has 98 personnel positions
•
Full-time – 4
•
Part-time (volunteers) – 94
•
Currently manned approx. 55%

9. Requirements
• IT education (can be a student) or practical knowledge of
IT
• Basic requirements for entering National Guard have to be
met (citizenship, no criminal record, age, health, etc.)
• Security clearance
• Willingness and ability to acquire new knowledge and to
devote time to the Cyber Defense Unit
• Monthly 1-3 days involvement required

10. Needed IT Security skills of the Unit
• Networks
• Applications, software
• Policies and users
• Technical solutions
• History
• Legal issues
• Teamwork
• Philosophy and methods of «internet users»

11. Participation in International Exercises
• ENISA «CYBER EUROPE» - April, September 2014
• NATO CCDCoE «LOCKED SHIELDS» – May 2014
• NATO «CYBER ENDEAVOUR» - August 2014
• NATO «CYBER COALITION» – November 2014
• MIARNG «STAMPEDE» – November 2014
• NATO CCDCoE «LOCKED SHIELDS» – April 2015

12. Goals
• Strengthening Defence of the State and society
• Cyber Defence Unit joint exercises and operations with
CERT.LV, MILCERT, other State institutions and immediate
involvement when needed
• Co-organisation of national cyber exercises
• Bringing knowledge back to the civilian institutions where
the cyber guards work – enhancing security level for all

13. kibersargs@mil.lv