The Royal Australian Navy has employed a new team to oversee critical cyber and data capabilities at sea.
The Communications and Information Systems (CIS-I) workgroup is a unit developed to sustain naval fleet technologies associated with digital and transmission demands.
CIS-I personnel are selected through rigorous information systems preparation in a complex, fast-paced maritime environment.
‘An Important Step’
The CIS-I training program began in April and initially produced 14 specialists for deployment in a graduation ceremony on November 9.
Lessons were relayed at the Defence Force School of Signals – Maritime CIS Wing at the HMAS Cerberus base in Victoria.
The course covered tutorials in cyber threat detection and response, information management, and network administration.
“While the training is still in its infancy, the graduation of this first cohort of streamed sailors is an important step in the modernisation of our workforce,” HMAS Cerberus Information Systems Instructor Petty Officers Blake Ridge explained.
Supporting Ships, Establishments
Following induction, the CIS-I team will work on several vessels and sites as qualified information systems experts.
Seaman Henry Pears, a soldier who participated in the CIS-I inaugural training, commented on the program’s future.
“I hope that my cohort and I can meet the Navy’s expectations,” the warfighter said. “Although we are the first streamed CIS-I out of initial employment training, we are excited to get into the fleet and get to work.”