Cyber security training Baltic Ghost practises ensuring electricity supply in the case of cyber-attacks

On 20–22 September, the Cyber Unit of the Estonian Defence League will be practising how to act in a situation where, as a result of a cyber-attack, the electricity supply of state authorities and companies providing vital services is in jeopardy. The drill is part of the international training Baltic Ghost and in Estonia, will be conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, Defence Forces, Information System Authority of the State, and Elering.

The cyber security training will be taking place simultaneously in Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. Participants include the vital service providers of all Baltic States, the owners of critical infrastructures, and state institutions. The drill is also supported by the National Guard of the United States.

The main focus of the Baltic Ghost training is testing the exchange of information between institutions in the event of a cyber incident, as well as practising the procedures for involving external support (e.g. the Cyber Unit of the Estonian Defence League).

The secondary objective is to test cooperation between the three Baltic States in the event of an escalating cyber incident, the solution of which requires internationally coordinated joint action.

Baltic Ghost is the spinoff of the Baltic Host exercise, which focused on the reception of allied forces in the Baltic region. The first Baltic Ghost took place in September 2015 and its head organiser is the United States European Command (EUCOM).