CAF and Five Eyes partners advance Cyber Mission Assurance in pre-RIMPAC 26 tabletop exercise

March 23, 2026 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time - 1:43

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), alongside partners from the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, recently completed a week-long Cyber Mission Assurance tabletop exercise aimed at strengthening coalition readiness for RIMPAC 26, the world's largest multinational maritime exercise.

Co-led by Mr. NeilGregory, Lead Planner for the Cyber Mission Assurance Program, and Major Dave Armstrong, exercise coordinator, the event brought together 42 participantsfrom Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

Maritime Orientation and Coalition Collaboration

The week began with a visit to HMCS Regina, where participants gained firsthand insight into naval operations and the platforms that will support RIMPAC 26. The visit provided valuable context for the four days of guided discussions that followed.

Participants worked through a series of operational scenarios examining how cyber disruptions could affect coalition operations. Discussions explored decision-making under cyber-related stress, the potential impact of degraded communications, and how allied forces can maintain operational effectiveness across maritime, air, and joint environments.

The scenarios were preceded by contextual briefings. Intelligence staff from Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command (CAFCYBERCOM)delivered a cyber threat update tailored to the RIMPAC 26environment. Representatives from Canadian Joint Operations Command, the Royal Canadian Navy, and the Royal Canadian Air Force also provided perspectives on the operational context.

Strong Participation Across the Coalition

Engagement remained strong throughout the week across all participating nations. Canada's delegation included three Class A reservists from the 34e and 35e Régiments des transmissions, whose technical expertise contributed to the development of practical observations and lessons learned.

A notable contribution came from the United Kingdom Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force, which demonstrated its Cyber Force Protection Directive App. The tool allows users to enter deployment details and receive recommended cyber protection measures, including guidance on authorized devices and networks while deployed.

The Australian delegation also shared insights on threat modelling and lessons learned from their own tabletop exercise experience.

Ready for RIMPAC 26

The exercise increased awareness of mission-critical cyber dependencies, strengthened coalition understanding of cyber-related operational risks, and reinforced the importance of clear communication pathways and redundancy.

"Exercises like this build the foundation for effective coalition operations," said Mr. Gregory.

Major Armstrong added that the strong engagement from participants reflected the professionalism and commitment of cyber and operational communities across the alliance.

As the CAF and its partners prepare for RIMPAC 26, the exercise strengthened shared understanding, reinforced coalition relationships, and improved readiness to operate in an increasingly contested digital environment.