National Guard Bureau hosts Deployable Defensive Cyber Operations Systems-Modular Master Gunner Course at Jackson Barracks
By Staff Sgt. David C. Kirtland, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office
NEW ORLEANS – The National Guard Bureau hosted the second Deployable Defensive Cyber Operations Systems-Modular (DDS-M) Master Gunner Course at Louisiana National Guard’s Jackson Barracks in New Orleans, Oct. 28 – Nov. 7.
The course, facilitated by Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors (PEO-IEWS) and members of the Maryland National Guard’s 169th Cyber Protection Team, was designed specifically for members of National Guard Cyber Protection Teams. The 20 Soldiers participating represented 12 states as well as the U.S Army Reserve. Graduates of the course will be designated as DDS-M trainers for their state’s CPT element or CPT Detachment.
CPTs respond to cyber events, working to secure and restore affected networks by defeating threats and restoring normal operations. These teams consist of Soldiers who have cyber expertise in both their civilian and military careers.
Each state is authorized two DDS-M Master Gunners. Guardsmen from Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin attended the two-week course.
“The training has been positive, and the facilities have been great,” said a member of CPT 169, Maryland National Guard. “This training will improve readiness for cyber teams Guard-wide because they’ll be more qualified trainers capable of training new Soldiers as teams receive them.”
The DDS-M program is a customized, deployable compute-and-data-storage system that supports CPTs’ suite of Defensive Cyber Operations platforms and tools. The program provides a highly modular and scalable solution, allowing the warfighter to conduct DCO missions anywhere in the world. Its reduced form factor and enhanced compute and storage capabilities offer robust performance, high scalability, and maximum portability—essential elements in maintaining positive control of the DDS-M while ensuring maximum functionality.
“The class highlights how the Army conducts defensive training using the DDS kits, and it reinforces the importance of keeping skills and techniques up to date for cyber technicians and intelligence personnel,” said an attendee. “Cyber is an ever-changing environment.”
An estimated 2,200 cyber-attacks occur daily, impacting more than 800,000 people per year and costing the U.S. more than $6 trillion, based on the last analysis conducted in 2022. These attacks often cripple the operations of businesses, corporations, and industries nationwide.
The National Guard currently operates 11 Cyber Protection Teams across 23 states.