Page 15 - The Dispatch September 2018

TEXAS MILITARY DEPARTMENT

to build capabilities and coordination for enhanced inci- could impact its 2.3 million residents. While the coordina-
dent response and recovery and to strengthen collabora- tion of the exercise was definitely a feat at such a grand
tion across sectors, jurisdictions and disciplines. scale, the selected facilitators were the linchpins in mak-
ing it successful. It was clear that extensive thought had
The exercise began with a brief video of a newscaster been put into the questions asked and directed to specific
reporting the approach of Hurricane Miguel, city prepa- organizations, with vague answers putting individuals on
ration and a weather forecast of low winds with light the spot for clarification.
rainfall. The news reporter also identified several power
outages throughout the city. Upon completion, the table- Several questions were posed throughout the exercise
top exercise discussion facilitator presented a slide deck and hot wash in what the military's role is during such
with in-depth questions directed to various public and a real-world event. Representatives from the U.S. Army
private sector organizations. For example, one question and 91st Cyber Command offered some insight, referring
asked, “What internal and external dependencies does to the military as more of a “last one in, first one out” res-
each critical infrastructure need to successfully respond olution to cyberattacks. Another member mentioned the
to the current incident?” Each table identified their re- State of Texas Assistance Request program, in which or-
spective dependencies and briefed them to the rest of ganizations could complete an application to request mil-
the participants. If the response was vague, the facilitator itary assessments of their networks and how legislative
would probe the briefer to “dig deep” and either retrieve had changed so the program was more proactive than re-
the required information or note that additional research active. The table-top exercise was definitely a high-level
would be needed for the specific organization. approach to addressing a city-wide issue. I would highly
recommend leadership be in attendance of any future
In general this is how the event was run. While each turn Jack Voltaic exercises, as they integrate training opportu-
happened, the “players” detected and attempted to mit- nities from a domestic operations perspective with a few
igate, while the observers discussed possible solutions organizations to both help secure Texas infrastructure
and other best business practices. and exercise cyber protection team operations locally. -D

The exercise was an overall success as it applied a plau-
sible cascading scenario to the largest city in Texas which

Lt. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, U.S. Army North Commanding
(From Left) Brig. Gen. Dawn Ferrell, the Texas Military Department Deputy General,(right) is joined by Sylvester Turner, Houston Mayor
Adjutant General - Air, Sylvester Turner, mayor of the city of Houston and Lt. (center) , and Brig Gen Dawn Ferrell, Texas Deputy Adjutant
Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, U.S. Army North commanding general hold a press General - Air (left) addresses a crowd during the Jack Voltaic
conference discussing the Jack Voltaic 2.0 cyber security exercise held in Hous- 2.0 cyber security exercise, (Photo Courtesy of Twitter)
ton, Texas. (Photo Courtesy of City of Houston Twitter)

www.tmd.texas.gov 15