This research paper proposes a Cyber Common Operational Picture (CyCOP) framework for enhancing cyber situational awareness. The framework integrates various data streams to provide a comprehensive visual representation of cyber threats, enabling faster responses to attacks. The authors present five visualisations designed to meet specific needs in cyber defence, detailing their design and testing response times. The study's findings suggest that a well-designed CyCOP, adhering to proposed criteria for interface design and response speed, can significantly improve situational awareness and preparedness against cyberattacks, with applications in both military and civilian contexts. Future work will expand the framework to include further functionalities for threat response.

This article by Tyson Kackley details the development of a new wargaming system for the US Marine Corps, designed to support Force Design 2030. The system integrates multiple simulations across all warfighting domains, employing a modular, cloud-based architecture for scalability and adaptability. A key feature is its emphasis on data management and a continuous verification, validation, and accreditation (VV&A) process. This ensures the system’s outputs are reliable and defensible, informing crucial decision-making. The system uses a framework of simulations, allowing for the strengths of individual tools to compensate for each other's weaknesses. The system's design prioritizes the use of validated conceptual models and facilitates collaboration amongst subject-matter experts.

In this episode of The Battle Test Podcast, we explore SENTINEL, a comprehensive strategy designed to transform privileged access management into a Zero Trust-aligned ecosystem. Leveraging proven open-source components like Keycloak, Shibboleth, and YubiKeys, along with cutting-edge innovations such as Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs), SENTINEL ensures robust security, operational continuity, and future-ready capabilities.

We discuss:

• The step-by-step transformation from legacy systems to a Zero Trust model.
• How advanced tools like AI-driven threat detection and ZKP-based privacy-preserving authentication redefine security.
• The importance of a phased deployment strategy to ensure minimal disruption while integrating modern capabilities.
• The long-term benefits of aligning with emerging cryptographic standards and achieving quantum-safe readiness.

Join us as we unpack how SENTINEL sets the benchmark for secure, scalable, and efficient privileged access management in a dynamic and evolving threat landscape.

In this episode of The Battle Test Podcast, we explore the strategic transformation of offensive cyberspace operations outlined in the Joint Cyber Weapons Architecture (JCWA) 2.0: Strategic Vision. This cutting-edge strategy shifts the focus from delivering standalone tools to deploying fully integrated cyber kill chains, designed to streamline operations and enhance mission effectiveness.

We delve into:

• The 14-step cyber kill chain framework and its critical role in modern cyber warfare.
• The innovative PESKYWIDGET team, bridging the gap between capability development and operational deployment.
• The design of advanced cyber implants categorized by tiers and stages, each tailored for specific operational needs.
• How the adoption of Agile methodologies is accelerating the development and deployment of cyberspace capabilities.

Join us as we unpack how this strategy is redefining the future of Joint Cyber Weapons, ensuring readiness and adaptability in the ever-changing cyber domain.

In this special holiday episode we’re taking a break from our usual deep dives into Test & Evaluation, Cybersecurity, and Government-related topics to spread some festive cheer—with a geeky twist!

Using the power of AI from Suno.com, we’ve reimagined classic Christmas songs into quirky holiday hits that explore zombies, artificial intelligence, and alien invasions. From the spooky fun of "Let Them Roam, Let Them Roam" to the futuristic vibes of "AI Reigns" and the intergalactic flair of "The Aliens Are Coming to Town," this episode is packed with creativity and holiday spirit.

Whether you’re relaxing, working on year-end projects, or simply in the mood for something different, these tunes are sure to brighten your day. Tune in for some lighthearted holiday fun and celebrate the season with us. Happy holidays!

In this episode, we dive into the complex and fascinating world of military operations research with a focus on kill chains, a critical concept in modern warfare. Our episode, inspired by the paper Modeling Kill Chains Probabilistically by William J. Farrell III and Dean Wilkening, unpacks how mathematics and probability theory can help improve military precision and decision-making.

Kill chains refer to the steps taken to locate, track, and engage targets, typically in air-to-surface strikes. Traditionally, analysts used fixed timelines for each step, but real-world operations rarely follow such predictable patterns. This is where the authors introduce a probabilistic approach, using mathematical tools like the Saddlepoint Approximation (SPA) to better model each kill chain step as a random variable. By doing so, they can account for unpredictable factors—human decision times, sensor delays, and target movement—giving military planners a clearer picture of the likelihood of completing each mission step in time.

Throughout the episode, we'll break down key probabilistic methods used in the paper, including Moment Generating Functions (MGFs) and how they help model the "find, fix, track, target, engage" steps with varying levels of certainty. We’ll also discuss why this probabilistic approach offers a significant advantage over older, deterministic models, providing military operations with greater flexibility and accuracy in unpredictable environments.

Whether you're interested in mathematics, military strategy, or data science applications, this episode will give you a behind-the-scenes look at how cutting-edge research is pushing the limits of operational planning and tactical decision-making.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the creation of our groundbreaking network security Common Operating Picture (COP). This application functions as a Common Intelligence Picture(CIP) tool, designed to provide an all-encompassing view of network infrastructure security. We’ll explore how our interactive dashboard allows users to manage network devices, visualize connections, and assess risk, all while leveraging advanced algorithms. From Weighted Moving Averages to State Transition Models, we'll explain the cutting-edge formulas that power our risk scoring, anomaly detection, and predictive capabilities. Tune in to learn how we brought together network visualization, device management, and security analytics to build a powerful, modular platform that transforms network defense.

In this episode, we explore Chapter 5 of the Strategic Cyberspace Operations Guide, which delves into the complexities of defending the U.S. homeland from cyber threats. Cyberspace is a critical domain for national security, and the Department of Defense (DoD) plays a pivotal role in protecting the nation’s infrastructure alongside other federal agencies and private-sector partners.

Key topics include:

• The Department of Defense’s missions in homeland defense and its role in Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) during emergencies, working closely with DHS and other civil agencies.

• The importance of protecting the nation’s 16 critical infrastructure sectors, ranging from energy to communications, which are vital to national security, economic stability, and public health.

• The role of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) in national defense and how the DoD collaborates with private companies to secure key resources and mitigate cyber threats through information sharing and resilience efforts.

• How USCYBERCOM and other combatant commands coordinate and execute cyberspace operations to defend the homeland against sophisticated adversaries, and the challenges they face in maintaining command and control across diverse sectors and agencies.

• The concept of “defending forward” in cyberspace operations, which involves preemptive actions to stop cyber threats before they reach critical infrastructure, ensuring that potential attacks are detected and neutralized at the earliest stage.

• How the Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF) and other DoD cyber teams work with civilian agencies, including DHS and DOJ, to investigate, deter, and respond to cyberattacks on the nation’s critical infrastructure.

Join us as we examine how the U.S. military, government agencies, and private sector come together to protect the homeland from cyber threats and ensure the resilience of the nation’s critical infrastructure.