DVIDS – News – South Carolina National Guard helps prepare for cybersecurity

BEAUFORT, SC- US Army National Guard soldiers with the 125th Cyber ​​Protection Battalion, South Carolina National Guard, helped the city of Beaufort and other neighboring organizations at the Beaufort Police Department training center on March 24 2021 in the city’s first practical cybernetic exercise consisting of regional leaders developing a plan to respond to cyber threats and attacks.

Participants in this exercise were instructed to provide logical responses to realistic cyber scenarios. Soldiers guided other participants in assessing and responding appropriately to practical cyber security threats and attacks, providing tactical support knowledge and experiences to help members formulate real-life operational contingency plans. The soldiers who participated in the cybersecurity exercise were led by US Army Lieutenant Colonel William “Mel” Medlin, commander of the 125th Cyber ​​Protection Battalion.

Important figures for the city of Beaufort were present and participated in scenarios during the day-long event, including the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and emergency management; Beaufort water and sewage authority; Beaufort and Port Royal police and firefighters; and Beaufort Memorial Hospital.

Stephen Murray, Mayor of Beaufort and Vice President of the South Carolina Coast Cyber ​​Center, explained to participants the importance of communication between the organizations present to help keep others and citizens of Beaufort protected.

The South Carolina National Guard has partnered with the 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 to improve cybersecurity practices within the state.