In subconventional, hybrid, and terrorist scenarios, the cyberspace is used to benefit either side in all phases of the conflict. Assets necessary for the timely perception of an attack as well as for appropriate countermeasures are therefore key to national security and defence.
The Cyber Forces are the military component able to cope with the whole spectrum of combat in the cyber domain. They take all measures necessary to protect military networks and can be called upon to support the whole nation. The Cyber Forces ensure that any kind of communication and data transmission in the networks of the Austrian Armed Forces is carried out without friction. They permanently maintain information sovereignty as well as control over the Austrian Armed Forces’ systems. To this end, military networks must be set up, maintained, and kept state-of-the-art. Given the continuous threats in the cyberspace, the security of those systems is increasing in importance.
In an operation, survival depends on secure communications and the fast and secure transmission of information to the right place at the right time. The Cyber Forces of the Austrian Armed Forces include all units of the ICT branch, the cyber branch, and the electronic-warfare branch. They enable all branches of the Austrian Armed Forces to communicate with one another, thereby ensuring the coordination of operations. The Cyber Forces may be deployed independently, are a key component of combined-arms warfare at the tactical level, and contribute significantly to multi-domain operations at the operational level.
ICT & CYBER DIRECTORATE
The ICT & Cyber Directorate leads all ICT and cyber units, overseeing all levels of the hierarchy, from military-strategic planning via command and control to providing ICT services. This has brought planning and implementation closer together in the sphere of ICT, leading to optimised process durations and catering to requirements.
ICT SUPPORT BATTALIONS
1st and 2nd ICT Support Battalions, as force enablers during exercises and operations domestically and abroad, provide the ICT assets that the forces require.
This infrastructure is mobile, deployed according to requirements, and capable of linking up with secure military networks. Autonomous operation is one of its key capabilities. Access to other networks and/or the Internet is technically possible to provide. The ICT support battalions are also being used more and more in the capability areas of cyber defence and electronic warfare. As tactical force enablers, they support operations of the Land Forces, Air Force, and Special Operations Forces and provide the protection of their networks.