Arkansas’ Cyber “Strike Team” trains with Forge Institute
The State of Arkansas Cyber Response Team (or Strike Team) recently spent a productive week training with the cybersecurity professionals at Forge Institute, strengthening the team’s cyber skills to provide a frontline of protection from adversaries wishing to disrupt or harm the State’s systems and networks.
“This 5-day kickoff training dived deep into technical and policy concepts, and laid the groundwork for continuing education,” said Scott Anderson, Executive Director at Forge Institute.
Headed by the Arkansas Division of Information Systems (DIS), the Strike Team is part of the Arkansas Cybersecurity Office (ACO), which establishes security standards and policies for information technology for the State government and serves as the focal point for cybersecurity risks.
“Our ‘Strike Team’ is one of the many ways we’re mitigating risk to our State systems and infrastructure,” said Jonathan Askins, Director, Division of Information Services & Chief Technology Officer (CTO). “I’m looking forward to seeing this team grow and develop best practices that will be shared across the State.”
The training provided a high-level overview of the State’s current cybersecurity landscape and focused on baseline procedures for inter-agency cooperation and cyber incident response. The course also introduced key legal and compliance frameworks, security controls, and specific Tools, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), including defensive operations, incident response, and digital forensics.
However, the training extends beyond the acquisition of key skills. “Strike Team members started building new relationships with peers and other key cyber entities,” Anderson explained. “These relationships are foundational to making Arkansas a more cyber secure state.”
In recent months, cyber terrorists have made high-profile attacks on U.S. institutions, prompting a response from both federal and state governments. In June, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced the formation of the Arkansas Cyber Advisory Council (ACAC), intended to identify and manage risks of cyberattacks and enhance the response to those threats for the State. Cyber training is crucial to the State’s cybersecurity strategy.
“It is imperative that our state employees are equipped with the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) to effectively respond to and mitigate threats to our State’s network and systems,” said Gary Vance, Chief Information Security Officer for the State of Arkansas. “The Strike Team is developing key capabilities that will better position our cybersecurity defenses.”