PEMBROKE, NEW HAMPSHIRE -- The 11th annual Cyber Yankee Exercise recently concluded in New Hampshire, bringing together a diverse coalition of National Guard units, federal and state agencies, private industry leaders, and international partners to strengthen the defense of critical infrastructure against the ever-growing threat of cyberattacks.
This year's iteration, a two-week event, involving over 300 participants, underscored the increasing importance of seamless integration and cooperation between public and private organizations in the face of escalating cyber threats.
Cyber Yankee 2025 aimed to enhance preparedness for cyberattacks targeting essential services like gas, electric, and water utilities, resources vital to the daily lives of citizens. The exercise recognized the increasing frequency and severity of cyberattacks originating from criminal, state-sponsored, and nation-state actors seeking to disrupt American life, extort organizations, and steal sensitive information.
"The goal of Cyber Yankee was to enhance cooperation between the National Guard, federal and state government agencies, and private industry so we are all better prepared to respond to a cyber attack against critical infrastructure," officials stated. "We wanted to train with our government and private industry partners so we could develop relationships and build trust. We didn’t want the first time we were meeting each other to be when we are responding to a real-world emergency."
The exercise has grown significantly since its inception, evolving from a small, in-state training event to an international exercise involving participants from across the United States and abroad. This year's Cyber Yankee included the Army and Air National Guards of all six New England states, along with National Guard units from other states, the U.S. Air Force Reserve, the U.S. Marine Corps, and the U.S. Space Force. Federal partners from the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Department of Energy participated, alongside state agencies from New Hampshire.
New Jersey Air National Guard Played Key Role
The New Jersey Air National Guard played a vital role in Cyber Yankee 2025, by contributing its expertise and resources to the overall mission. Specifically, both the 140th and 227th Cyberspace Operations Squadrons were actively involved in the exercise. Members from both units participated in simulated cyber defense scenarios, collaborating with partners to identify vulnerabilities, mitigate threats, and restore critical infrastructure services. Their participation underscored the importance of specialized cyber defense units within the National Guard system.
The exercise also boasted significant private industry participation, with over ten companies represented, including leaders from gas, water, and electric utilities, as well as technology companies specializing in utility security.
International Collaboration through State Partnership Program
Cyber Yankee's reach extended internationally through the Department of Defense and National Guard's State Partnership Program. Six nations participating in the SPP joined the exercise, providing a valuable opportunity to showcase the U.S.’s public-private approach to cyber defense and learn from the experiences of international partners. These enduring partnerships allowed organizations to train together, exchange knowledge, and cultivate strong relationships.
The exercise will move to Connecticut in 2026. This rotation ensures that each state benefits from the training and resources provided by the exercise, further strengthening the region's overall cyber defense capabilities.