US Army cyber operations team visiting Lithuania

VILNIUS – A team from the Defensive Cyber Operations Element of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard (PAARNG) have been visiting Lithuania since the start of November, the Defense Ministry said on Monday. 

It said the team had shared their experience in cyber defense and threat assessment with specialists from the Lithuanian National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). 

"Lithuania and the Pennsylvania Army National Guard have a long-standing cooperation.  Many joint military events and exercises have taken place during the 28 years of cooperation," Deputy Defense Minister Margiris Abukevicius said in a press release.

"As cyber threats grow, we are rapidly adapting our cooperation with the PAARNG, too, which naturally leads to joint cyber security projects alongside traditional military areas," he added.

As part of the Lithuanian visit, the PAARNG cyber security team have visited the Regional Cyber Defense Centre (RCDC) which started operating last summer.

Cyber security specialists from Ukraine and Georgia are already working at the center which is planned to become the main practical platform for cyber defense cooperation with the PAARNG. 

RCDC representatives are planning to visit the US in December for consultations with PAARNG specialists on the organization of cybersecurity exercises and the training of the necessary specialists, according to the ministry.