Mexican and U.S. military leaders participate in a Command and Control Interoperability Board meeting at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado. JOSHUA ARMSTRONG/U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
THE WATCH STAFF
U.S. and Mexican military officials are improving operational compatibility between their respective command and control systems and bolstering cyber defenses. The Command and Control Interoperability Board (CCIB) 23-2 initiated plans for a Cyber Working Group and tabletop exercises at its December 4-6, 2023 meeting to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer matches in Canada, Mexico and the U.S.
Command and control refers to the exercise of authority by a designated commander over assigned forces. With Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. jointly hosting the World Cup, the three countries’ cybersecurity forces must coordinate command and information sharing authorities.
The CCIB is comprised of 12 representatives from Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA) and the Secretariat of the Navy (SEMAR), along with USNORTHCOM representatives and the U.S. Navy’s International C41 Integration office. Each of the board’s three co-chairs — Col. Anthony Newtson, deputy director of cyberspace operations at USNORTHCOM, Col. Héctor Maldonado Zepeda of SEDENA’s Cyberspace Operations Center (COC), and Mexican Navy Capt. Fernando Pineda Berdeja from SEMAR’s Strategic Planning and Coordination Unit (UNIPLACE) — participated in a meeting on December 4, 2023, at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado.
A series of working groups and action items revolved around command operations, communications security, sharing information and cybersecurity, concentrating on key issues like advanced training on digital communication links that instantly connect air, land and sea forces, as well as new requirements for the U.S. military’s Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange System, a classified network organized into enclaves that allows information and data to be shared securely through email, instant messages or chat.
The group also discussed how a recent Tradewinds military exercise yielded practical insights into cybersecurity and communication. The close cooperation on communication security and cyber defense between Mexico and the U.S strengthens the national security of both countries.
The group discussed how the success of CCIB 23-2 stands as a testament to the commitment of the United States and Mexico towards building a secure and North America. The shared insights and collaborative efforts undertaken during this event have undoubtedly set the stage for a future characterized by strengthened command and control operational compatibility , ensuring the security and resilience of both nations in an ever-evolving digital landscape.