Provide an Advance Virtual Persistent Training Environment for Signal/Cyber/EW That Integrates

Provide an Advance Virtual Persistent Training Environment for Signal/Cyber/EW that Integrates with Kinetic and Synthetic Warfighter Training Systems (2)

Mr. Kevin Hofstra has over a decade of experience within DoD Cyber Operations, including the Air Force Network Integration Center (AFNIC), 38th Cyberspace Readiness Squadron (38 CYRS), 835th Cyber Operations Squadron (835 COS) and the Air Force Cyber Protection Teams (CPTs). Prior to joining Metova he led the development of the SCOPE Genesis component of the AF Cyber Vulnerability Assessment/Hunter Weapon System and helped build the first AF CPTs at Scott AFB. In his current role, Mr. Hofstra leads the development of the Metova Cyberoperations Enhanced Network and Training Simulators (CENTS®) product portfolio used for cyber training for DoD, Federal, and Commercial customers. In 2016, he led the Metova delivery of the Air National Guard’s Virtual Interconnected Training Environment (VITE), Navy Cyber Operations Training Simulator (NCOTS) and Army Cyber Battlefield Operating System Simulation Tools for LVC Simulations SIBR (CyberBOSS). His background includes a BS - Computer Science from Yale and two MEs - Telecommunications & Engineering Management from the University of Colorado. Mr. Hofstra has a strong technical background with certifications that include: CISSP (ISC2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional), CAP (ISC2 Certified Authorization Professional), CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), Cisco (CCIE #14619, CCDP, CCNP, CCNP Security), Microsoft (MCSE 2012, 2008, 2003, NT 4.0), VCP-NV (VMware Certified Professional – Network Virtualization), Project Management Professional (PMP) and Six Sigma Black Belt (SSBB). Kevin also serves as the Communications Sector Chief for the Denver FBI InfraGard and is a strong advocate for public/private/academic partnerships and information sharing.

In a domain as dynamic as cyberspace, our warfighters learn best through doing, rather than observing, which is why it is so critical that cyber operations training includes a hands-on training and mission rehearsal capability. Our cyber leadership/commanders are facing an increasingly complex multi-domain battlespace that combines signal, cyber and EW operations. Fortunately, the cyberspace domain provides a unique opportunity to create an emulated, realistic and risk-free environment for training, TTP development, experimentation and exercising. However, not all simulated cyber environments are equally capable of recreating the dynamic network protocols and events necessary to accurately reflect the indicators of compromise (IOCs) associated with the advanced persistent threats (APTs) representing the evolving adversary that our cyber warriors face. This discussion will cover the advanced techniques Metova uses to emulate the multi-domain battlespace of the future while seeking to reduce complexity through automation, reduce costs through open source & virtualization, and increase consistency/repeatability through lesson plans, exercises and scenarios. We will review two DoD examples of how Metova is using our Persistent Cyber Training Environment (PCTE) to train Air Force and Navy Cyber Mission Forces (CMF). Finally, we will discuss the outcomes of the 2017 Cyber Quest event held at Fort Gordon in June of 2017 as it relates to the creation of PCTEs that encompass a multi-domain Area of Operations that includes signal, cyber and EW.