By Maj. William Carraway
Historian, Georgia National Guard.
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The 170th Cyber Protection Team at Fort Gillem, Ga. August 5, 2018. Photo by Maj. William Carraway. Inset: Shoulder-sleeve insignia of the 91st Cyber Brigade. |
In 2015, the
Georgia National Guard was selected to host one of the first three cyber
protection teams established in the National Guard. Selected from among
nomination packets from 45 states, the Georgia National Guard activated the
170th in the fall of 2015. The California National Guard also fielded a CPT In
2015 while Michigan, Indiana and Ohio contributed personnel to form the third
CPT. On October 2, 2016, the 170th CPT was federally recognized. By the end of 2017, ten CPTs had been established to combat emerging cyber
threats.
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Major Michael G. Mallon, commander of the 170th CPT briefs Brig. Gen. John T. Gentry during a capability briefing at Forest Park Ga., January 11, 2020. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class R.J. Lannom Jr. |
The mission
of the 170th Cyber Protection Team is to conduct defensive
cyberspace operations on military networks to support mission requirements ad
identified by Department of Defense or state leadership. Cyber protection teams
are staffed by Army National Guard Soldiers who train and operate on a
traditional part-time basis; however, the CPT can be mobilized for federal
service in the event that additional assets are required by Army Cyber Command.
The governor of Georgia can also call upon CPT expertise to provide cyber
protection on government networks.
In December 2016, the unit received its first mobilization. The following year, the 170th was mobilized in support of the three primary missions of the DOD’s cyber strategy: defending DoD networks, systems, and information; defending the U.S. homeland and U.S. national interests against cyberattacks of significant consequence; and providing cyber support to military operational and contingency plans. Thirty Soldiers of the 170th CPT were mobilized in support of Cyber Command operations from April 2017 to May 2018.
The 170th
CPT underwent its first change of command August 5, 2018 as Maj. George Allen
relinquished command to Capt. Michael Mallon. In 2023 command passed from Maj. Mallon
to Maj. Adam Tolar.
In 2021 the 170th completed exercise Cyber Dawg 21. Also participating in the exercise were cyber experts of the Georgia Air National Guard’s 283rd Communications Squadron, 202nd Engineering Installation Squadron and 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron.
In June 2023
the 170th participated in Cyber Shield 2023. The exercise was held at Camp
Joseph T. Robinson in North Little Rock, Arkansas June 2-16, 2023 and drew more
than 800 participants representing military, government and civilian leaders
from 25 states.
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