Cyber Command and Coast Guard establish task force for port cyber defence
U.S. Cyber Command and the Coast Guard established a joint task force during a major exercise to simulate coordinated cyber defence of multiple U.S. ports under attack.
US Cyber Command has joined forces with the Coast Guard in a major military exercise designed to simulate cyberattacks on key port infrastructure.
Known as Cyber Guard, the training scenario marked a significant evolution in defensive readiness, integrating for the first time with Pacific Sentry—an Indo-Pacific Command exercise simulating conflict over Taiwan.
The joint effort included the formation of Task Force Port, a temporary unit tasked with coordinating defence of coastal infrastructure.
The drill reflected real-world concerns over the vulnerability of US ports in times of geopolitical tension, and brought together multiple combatant commands under a unified operational framework.
Rear Admiral Dennis Velez described the move as part of a broader shift from isolated training to integrated joint force operations.
Cyber Guard also marked the activation of the Department of Defense Cyber Defense Command (DCDC), previously known as Joint Force Headquarters–DOD Information Network.
The unit worked closely with the Coast Guard, signalling the increasing importance of cyber coordination across military branches when protecting critical infrastructure.
Port security has featured in past exercises but was previously handled as a separate scenario. Its inclusion within the core structure of Cyber Guard suggests a strategic realignment, ensuring cyber defence is embedded in wider contingency planning for future conflicts.
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