The cyberspace operations force, which plays an essential part in the Vietnam People’s Army, is tasked with ensuring national cybersecurity, combating high-tech crimes, and countering “peaceful evolution” activities in cyberspace. Therefore, to meet the requirements of Homeland protection in the new context, besides taking comprehensive measures in cyberspace, enhancing the quality of training and tactical exercises in cyberspace operations is paramount, which requires thorough research in both theoretical and practical aspects.

In the current context, alongside the rapid development of the global network environment, the widespread use of information warfare and cyberspace operations has become an inevitable trend for many countries. For our country, the national information system, especially the military and defence information system, is defined as the primary target of intentional cyber-attacks. Additionally, hostile forces have increasingly intensified sabotage activities aimed at distorting and undermining the Party, the State, and the Army in cyberspace by employing sophisticated and hard-to-control tactics. Faced with this situation, it is imperative for the whole Army, with the cyberspace operations force at the core, to implement synchronised and resolute measures to enhance training and exercises, thereby improving combat readiness and operational capabilities in cyberspace under all circumstances.

Drawing from the practical experience of training and tactical exercises in cyberspace operations within various units over the past period, and considering the development of threats and tasks in cyberspace operations in national defence, this article discusses and analyses some fundamental issues as follows:

1. Intensifying the leadership and direction of party committees and commanders at all levels in training and tactical exercises in cyberspace operations. This is a top priority measure to ensure that the process of renewing and improving the quality of training and tactical exercises in cyberspace operations is conducted in the right direction and achieves high efficiency. To accomplish this, in addition to thoroughly and seriously implementing resolutions, directives, orders, and guidelines on training and exercises, party committees within agencies and units should issue a thematic resolution annually or before each exercise to lead this critical mission. This resolution should outline specific objectives, targets, requirements, and leadership directives tailored to the actual situation of each unit. In particular, during the preparation and execution of exercises, agencies and units must fully formulate all necessary documents and exercise plans, which should be approved by direct supervisory party committees. To maximise the role of key officers, agencies and units need to assign specific party committee members to oversee each aspect of the operation. Additionally, there should be a focus on monitoring and guiding agencies and units, especially those responsible for critical tasks. During operation, signs of subjectivity, complacency, and reluctance to face difficulties in training and exercises should be critically combatted.

Leader of Command 86 checks a cyber operations exercise

2. Promoting the innovation of processes, programmes, content, and methods of training and exercises to enhance the cyberspace operations force’s combat skills and capabilities. In recent years, training and tactical exercises in cyberspace operations have become more standardised under the leadership and direction of the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defence, and party committees and commanders at all levels. The capacity for organising and managing training and exercises, as well as the combat readiness and information security capabilities of agencies and units, have been progressively improved. However, some aspects have not kept pace with practical developments due to various subjective and objective factors. Therefore, to meet the requirements, party committees and commanders within agencies and units, particularly those involved in cyberspace operations, need to continue to thoroughly grasp and effectively implement higher echelons’ directives, resolutions, and plans on training and exercises, particularly Resolution No. 1659-NQ/QUTW, dated 20 December 2022, of the Central Military Commission on enhancing the quality of training in the 2023 – 2030 period and beyond. Based on this, research should be conducted to adjust, supplement, and standardise processes, programmes, content, and training methods to align with the specific characteristics, requirements, and tasks of each period. In the short term, it is advisable to concentrate on researching, reviewing, and updating the basic training framework for cyberspace operations units, as well as developing training frameworks for new officers and short-term and long-term training programmes for intensive training for officers on cyberspace staff and cyber warfare art according to their specific roles within agencies and units. To achieve high effectiveness, Command 86 should strengthen the implementation of coordinated training programmes with educational institutions within and outside the Army and collaborate with foreign partners with strong capabilities in information technology and cyberspace operations. Additionally, based on the current situation, it may be beneficial to develop and incorporate realistic cyberspace scenarios into training and exercises to improve skills and knowledge and to proactively prepare measures to counter cyber threats.

Moreover, agencies and units should concentrate on training and developing the specialised team to enhance their professional skills and expertise in information security, cybersecurity, and cyberspace operations, as well as in command and staff roles in operational activities, incident response, and cyber incident remediation. Besides, emphasis should be placed on training to achieve mastery of current weapons and technical equipment. It is also important to actively innovate training formats, methods, exercises, competitions, and sporting events, focusing on assessing and verifying baseline and advanced proficiency standards for different personnel. In addition, continuous improvement in information technology expertise, information security, and cyberspace operations readiness should be prioritised, especially for tactical-level units.

3. Promoting the research and development of cyberspace operations tactics with flexible and creative applications in training and exercises. In light of the Party’s new viewpoints and policies on military affairs, national defence, and Homeland protection - especially as outlined in Resolution No. 29-NQ/TW, dated 25 July 2018, of the Politburo (12^th tenure) on the Strategy for Homeland protection in Cyberspace - agencies and units, with Command 86 at the core, should continue to advance research and development of cyberspace operations tactics and information warfare methods. The focus should be on improving cybersecurity measures for tactical-level command centres and specialised forces, particularly in network reconnaissance, intelligence information collection, and rapid identification of cyberspace weapons systems and adversary cyberspace operations. These efforts should be integrated with deployment and protective measures for our own cyber weapons systems and operations, ensuring readiness to counterattack, prevent, and neutralise hostile activities by reactionary and terrorist organisations and high-tech enemy attacks. Additionally, there is a need to research, complete, and propose the issuance of the Cyberspace Operations Regulations, Cyberspace Operations Staff Regulations, and Information Technology Regulations for the Vietnam People's Army. Besides, developing and implementing the Project titled “Strengthening cyberspace operations capabilities to meet the requirements of Homeland protection in the new context” will further enhance the combat power of the cyberspace operations force. It is also essential to research and develop methods and tactics for integrating cyberspace operations with operations in other theatres - airspace, land, and sea - creating a comprehensive defence capability to firmly protect the nation under all circumstances.

4. Implementing comprehensive and effective measures to ensure and improve the quality of training and tactical exercises in cyberspace operations. First and foremost, it is essential to accurately understand, assess, and forecast the cyberspace operational environment and adversaries because this can decisively influence the quality of training and exercises. Only by thoroughly researching, evaluating, and identifying the correct adversaries can we develop appropriate and effective tactics and strategies. Therefore, agencies and units should direct cyberspace operations planning staff to accurately forecast the situation, clearly identify the adversaries, and develop training intentions, scenarios, and exercises closely aligned with the realities of cyberspace operations. Based on this, they should prepare weapons, equipment, technical assets, and facilities for training and exercises, ensuring a scientific, detailed, and practical approach. For optimal effectiveness, agencies and units should enhance coordination with military services, branches, local armed forces, and the cybersecurity and information security forces of central and local agencies to devise response plans for training scenarios, ensuring that weapons, equipment, technical means, and training facilities are adequate. In addition, agencies and units, particularly the cyberspace operations forces, should intensify the review, consolidation, and proposal of investments to modernise the technical equipment system with a focus on tactical-level cyber ranges. There should be a close integration of maintenance, preservation, and management with the mastery, exploitation, and efficient use of assigned weapons, equipment, and technical assets, ensuring they remain in optimal and safe condition for exercises. Simultaneously, efforts should be made to strengthen cooperation with enterprises inside and outside the Army to ensure access to scientific and technological equipment and information technology applications. Furthermore, research and proposals should be made to expand software for command and control on wireless transmission infrastructure and to develop software to support tactical exercises using digital maps and virtual terrain models.

Amid the continuous evolution of cyber operations methods and tactics, agencies and units should strengthen opposing-force exercises on maps and live exercises at all levels. Besides, they should conduct joint exercises between the cyberspace operations forces and the cybersecurity and information security forces of local departments, agencies, and sectors. There should be regular preliminary reviews, summaries, and lesson-drawing meetings to assess strengths and weaknesses, identify causes, and determine the responsibilities of collectives and individuals. This provides a basis for learning from each training and exercise session and for further research, supplementation, and development of cyberspace operations tactics theory.

Cyber operations represent a new form of warfare that is highly volatile and challenging. Therefore, improving the quality of this critical mission requires comprehensive investment in both theoretical and practical research. This will contribute to ensuring network information security, safeguarding national sovereignty in cyberspace, and meeting the requirements of Homeland protection in the new context.

Maj. Gen. VU HUU HANH, Commander of Command 86