The Persistent Cyber Training Environment (PCTE) is a vital asset for the US Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM), fulfilling a critical requirement for the Department of Defense (DoD) and Joint Cyberspace Operations Forces. It caters to training needs at individual, team, and force levels, offering a comprehensive platform for standardized training, certification, and mission rehearsal. PCTE serves as the cornerstone for collective training exercises, utilizing existing connectivity to facilitate resource sharing and expand cyber maneuver space. By providing realistic training scenarios with variable conditions, PCTE enhances the readiness and effectiveness of Cyberspace Operations Forces. Moreover, it streamlines and automates the training management process, ensuring standardization and simplification across operations.
The Challenge
Our client, the US Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO-STRI), had the mission to develop and establish a joint, interoperable platform that Cyber Operations Forces could use to realistically train and support both computer network defense operations and offensive cyber operations. PEO-STRI required rapid and responsive contracting support combined with subject matter expertise in several operational cyber mission and training environment areas.
The Solution
Invictus and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) formed a successful partnership with PEO-STRI. The Invictus team, consisting of subject matter experts and unique capabilities, rapidly developed the training environment infrastructure and content. AFRL played a crucial role by providing existing technologies that could be leveraged at no cost to PEO-STRI, further enhancing the solution.
The Impact
The Invictus team played a pivotal role in the developing, deploying, and sustaining the DoD’s primary cyber platform for a realistic modeling, simulation, and training environment. PCTE is now integral to every USCYBERCOM exercise, earning accolades and commendations. Notably, on January 8, 2021, the Commander of the 341st Cyberspace Operations Squadron lauded the impact of PCTE, stating: “I think what we see is, honestly the most realistic training experience our folks can get whether they’re brand new out of tech school or completely qualified work role member on a team. The most impressive part is that we’ve created a no kidding, realistic soup-to-nuts operational experience for our folks.”