Scott Nicholas
Thales and the Dutch armed forces’ defense cyber command formed an alliance to establish a new cyber training and testing facility.
The Cyber Range will provide a platform to simulate cyber attacks as well as protective and defense mechanisms on different weapon systems, IT environments or satellite links and test offensive cyber tactics, Thales said Tuesday.
The company added it will also provide support at the facility over the next three years.
DCC Commander Hans Folmer said the Cyber Range will aid the unit’s staff training and systems testing efforts.
“The primary task of [the Dutch defense forces] is to protect our safety; our troops must at all times be able to rely on the equipment and systems to achieve this,” added Rene van Buuren, Thales cybersecurity director, noting that the Cyber Range is the next step in the forces’ efforts in the IT domain.
The Cyber Range will work to help DCC develop and test “realistic” cyber-specific situations within a safe and controlled research and testing environment, Thales said.
Thales added that the facility also looks to provide opportunities for collaboration between the Dutch defense agency and other laboratories, knowledge centers or units.
