Vanguard Magazine

"Our people are the backbone of CAFCYBERCOM's success. Continuous training and dedication keep our cyber operators ready to face evolving threats and secure Canada's military networks." — Chief Warrant Officer Peter Holub, Command CWO, CAFCYBERCOM MASAKARI 25: Canadian and Japanese militaries strengthen cyber defences In summer 2025, CAFCYBERCOM and the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) Cyber Defense Command (JCDC) joined forces in MASAKARI 25—a bilateral cyber defence activity that deepened operational cooperation and reaffirmed a shared commitment to regional cyber security and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Conducted under Operation HORIZON, Canada's forward-presence mission in the Indo-Pacific, MASAKARI 25 was hosted by CAFCYBERCOM and brought together cyber operators from both nations, alongside Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) personnel, to conduct combined defensive cyber activities. "This activity represented more than an operational milestone—it reflected our collective will to shape a secure and rules-based digital environment," says MGen Yarker. "MASAKARI 25 built practical cyber interoperability and strengthened a trusted partnership between Canada and Japan. Together, we advanced persistent engagement in a region where cyber threats increasingly test the resolve of open societies." Major-General Akitsugu Kimura, Commander of the JCDC, emphasized the strategic value of the engagement, "MASAKARI 25 brought the two nations even closer, since this combined effort facilitated our mutual understanding and strengthened capabilities and interoperability. I am confident that Canada and Japan are well-united and able to contribute to the security in the Indo-Pacific region." MASAKARI 25 is aligned with Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy by reinforcing regional partnerships, demonstrating commitment to cyber resilience, and upholding norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. The activity underscored the vital role cyber defence plays in supporting a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. Looking beyond 2025, both commands anticipated continued collaboration through future joint training, cyber intelligence exchanges, and operational cooperative efforts. "This was just the beginning," says MGen Yarker. "In an era of evolving digital threats, partnerships like this are essential to securing our interests and those of our global partners." MASAKARI 25 stood as a clear signal: Canada and Japan were united in defending the digital front lines of the Indo-Pacific. - Major Christopher Daniel, CAFCYBERCOM Senior Public Affairs Officer F E AT U R E 18 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2025 www.vanguardcanada.com Building Momentum Since its establishment nearly a year ago, CAFCYBERCOM has rapidly matured into a unified command responsible for all CAF cyber operations. "In our first year, CAFCYBERCOM has unified ca- pabilities, and proven Canada can deliver decisive cyber effects alongside allies," says MGen Yarker. CAFCYBERCOM has strengthened interoperability by participating in high- profile multinational exercises such as NATO's Exercise LOCKED SHIELDS 2025, where CAF teams defended simu- lated networks under intense cyberattack scenarios. It played a vital role in Opera- tion REASSURANCE, deploying Cyber Task Force 2 in Latvia to help safeguard critical civilian digital infrastructure. A recent month-long multinational cyber surge there dramatically increased Lat- via's cyber defence capacity, achieving in one month what would normally take several. This effort exposed supply-chain vulnerabilities, enhanced collaboration among allies, and involved close coopera- tion with the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security and NATO partners—demon- strating Canada's commitment to shared defence. Beyond Europe, CAFCYBERCOM has deepened partnerships in the Indo-Pacific through engagements such as leadership visits to the Philippines, fostering cooper- ation and sharing best practices to coun- ter evolving threats globally. Innovation and the Road Ahead On the technological front, CAFCYBER- COM is advancing the integration of ar- tificial intelligence in line with DND and CAF strategies, aiming to enhance situ- ational awareness, threat detection, and decision-making by 2030. Near-term objectives include scaling full- spectrum cyber capabilities within legal frameworks, expanding workforce train- ing, deepening partnerships, and support- ing joint CAF operations. Through these efforts, CAFCYBERCOM ensures Canada remains agile and resilient in the increas- ingly contested domain of cyberspace. International partnerships in Europe and the Indo-Pacific continue to grow, exem- plified by cooperation with Latvia's CERT, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Japan's Self-Defense Forces on cyber initia- tives, as well as participation in LOCKED SHIELDS. These efforts enhance interop- erability and regional resilience. On innovation, CAFCYBERCOM aligns with DND/CAF AI strategies to improve operational effectiveness and invests heav- ily in workforce development. "Our teams have grown closer and more confident, with a rapid pace of learning. We're preparing to meet future cyber challenges with deeper expertise and readiness," says CWO Holub. Next milestones include scaling full- spectrum capabilities, expanding mul- tinational exercises, strengthening ties with government, industry, and academia on emerging technologies, advancing AI integration, and enhancing operational cooperation with allies across the Western Hemisphere, Europe, and the Indo-Pacif- ic. "Our near-term focus includes acceler- ating innovation, deepening partnerships, and enhancing operator training to stay ahead of emerging threats," adds MGen Yarker. "Next, we aim to expand our ca- pabilities, enhance cooperation, and inte- grate emerging technologies like AI." Conclusion CAFCYBERCOM represents a pivotal step in Canada's defence posture, unify- ing cyber operations, signals intelligence, and electronic warfare to address evolving threats with professionalism and innova-

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