A new stage in the Army's cyber defence

The Army created its first defensive computer warfare section in 2000. The year 2019 opened a new stage. Indeed, in cyberspace, armies have long been confined to defensive actions. In January 2019, the statements made by the Minister of the Armed Forces at the 2019 ICF (International Cybersecurity Forum), followed by the publication of a military doctrine on offensive cyber warfare, signalled the willingness to commit the armed forces to all missions, "inform-defend-act".

Cyberspace is an integral part of our daily life and operations. For the French Army, it is a question of continuing to take ownership of cyber defence with pragmatism and voluntarism, in liaison with COMCYBER. Exploiting the possibilities offered will make it possible to increase the operational effectiveness of our units.

With the battles conducted in the information environment and in the electromagnetic environment, engagements in cyberspace fall into the category of actions in immaterial fields. The importance of these actions for tomorrow's battles was identified in "Action Terrestre Future". It has already been confirmed in Ukraine, the Levant, and increasingly in Africa.

Cyber defence is no longer a subject reserved for a few specialists. All of our operational headquarters must take ownership of this new area of combat in order to be able to integrate the effects in cyberspace into joint manoeuvres, both in planning and in conduct. These effects could be produced by Army means, but most often by COMCYBER capabilities.

From the perspective of our high-intensity engagements, understanding the principles, the role of the actors and the stakes of cyber defence is fundamental. This issue of Brennus contributes to this necessary appropriation.

Enjoy reading it!

Major General Patrick Brethous, Deputy Chief

Army air-land operations (SCOAT)