Cyber Primer

Cyber functions
3.16. Indicators and warnings for Defence are often sourced through
commerce (for example, anti-virus vendors or security operating centres) and
the intelligence agencies. The Ministry of Defence’s (MOD’s) own CERT has
prime responsibility for disseminating cyber indicators and warnings across
Defence’s networks.
Cyber operational preparation of the environment
3.17. The fourth role in cyber operations – cyber operational preparation of
the environment (cyber OPE) – is a vital enabling function which significantly
enhances the effectiveness of other cyber operations. The role is split into
passive operational preparation of the environment tasks (which include
maintenance and integrity of connections, networks and software) and the
more covert active ‘infrastructure’ activities.
cyber operational preparation of the environment
(cyber OPE)
All activities conducted to prepare and enable cyber intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance, defensive and offensive operations.
Information management
3.18. Acquiring, sharing, processing and protecting information is a
vital supporting function to the four roles of cyber operations. Acquiring
and sharing information through covert and open sources to multiple or
collective locations should be timely, but must also maintain data integrity.
These activities are non-discretionary.
3.19. Information assurance activities should provide commanders with
the confidence that their networks and systems will protect the information
they handle and function as they need to, when they need to and under the
control of legitimate users.
a. The MOD Computer Emergency Response Team (MODCERT)
is responsible for the information assurance of fixed and deployed
networks.
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