Rollaway beds, combat rations and networked computers. This week, a hundred students from the University of Lorraine participated in a five-day, large-scale cyberwarfare exercise organized with the military, to build their skills and foster vocations in cybersecurity.
In an instant, the tension rises a bit in the command room of the “Cryptanga” team. Facing the “Anumerics”, these two imaginary countries are locked in a digital battle to obtain the license to operate lithium mines located on the island of “Riverchelles”.
Two powers compete for access to scarce resources
The scenario, between two powers that fight for access to rare resources, was not thought up at random.
The exercise is carried out online thanks to two cyberranges, impressive servers that make it possible to recreate a virtual network similar to the Internet, but without interaction with it.
Social networks or online media have also been reproduced, as well as connected physical security systems (video surveillance, access cards) to allow this cyberwar to develop in all its dimensions.
“There are over 200 teams in the entire exercise,” adds Captain Pierre, a cyber defense reservist and master of the game. “We have routers, servers, telecommunications equipment, automata, robots, a whole range of digital artifacts that they find in the cybersecurity professions, and that must be analyzed, defended or attacked.”
crisis unit
To win, each team must defend its credibility online by maintaining control of its digital infrastructures, while destabilizing those of the adversary.
Behind him, other students, trained in Influence Computer Warfare (L2I) manage various social media accounts in an attempt to win the information war.
“Our strategy changes every day, depending on events,” says Carla del Popolo, 22, one of the few students who participated in the simulation. “For example, last night, all our passwords were cracked by the other team. Behind, we created a lot of fake profiles, we have to respond, make noise, drown out posts against us.”
Energy drinks
To top it off, the exercise takes place at three different sites, which complicates the internal communication of each team, and for three days, including a night on site, because “when a conflict breaks out, it’s not to ‘stop the 6:30 pm’, stresses a reservist.
“He’s starting to get tired, we feel like he’s getting a bit run down since noon,” admits Arthur Terrien, 22, a fifth-year at Polytech Nancy, as his classmates sip cans of energy drinks. We have not weakened tonight, we have had a continuous schedule, but it is difficult for those who have not slept much.
The exercise brings together six university entities (including Mines Nancy, Télécom Nancy, the Faculty of Science and Technology or the IUT Brabois) and is of interest to industrialists: around fifteen are partners in the exercise. But it is for the Ministry of the Armed Forces, co-organizer, the one that has the most commitment.
“We have been aware of the potential threats for years, but we are all witnessing that there is an acceleration of the pace in this area,” he continues.
The ministry thus intends to increase its workforce of cyber combatants from the current 3,700 to 5,200 in 2025. An employment forum has also been organized to close the cyber war exercise.
Source: BFM TV
