Iranian Armed Forces Cyber Command Planned

Iran is set to establish a dedicated cyber security force, according to comments made by a high-level official in mid-June 2011.

The planned cyber command centre will form part of a wider programme, boosting Iran's capability to defend itself against the threat of cyber attacks.

Speaking to Iranian media organisations, Brigadier General Massoud Jazzayeri - Deputy Chief of Staff for Cultural Affairs and Defense Publicity for the Iranian Armed Forces - explained how the cyber command topic has already been looked into and, at some point soon, the IAF will explore its potential further.

Once established, the Iranian Cyber Command would be the latest in a whole host of similar units set up in recent years by other nations.

The US took the lead when, in 2009, it announced the launch of USCYBERCOM. This reached IOC (Initial Operational Capability) in May 2010. Meanwhile, South Korea, China and the UK have all, since, started working within cyber defence.

In the case of Iran, it's considered that such a programme is needed to take on so-called ‘soft warfare' - i.e. attacks with a perceived emotional edge, launched away from the traditional battlefield setting.

To this end, according to Jazzayeri, Iranian troops need to have a dedicated cyber command up and running, equipped with ultra hi-tech cyber defence tools.

At the end of 2010, Mohammad Baqeri - senior commander of the Iranian Army - stressed that soft war was a real prospect for the Islamic Republic and explained how the country's enemies had shaken up national self-belief.

These enemies were attempting to "...affect the thoughts of the other side to gain victory and attains its goals by invading the values and patterns of behavior and changing them", Baqeri reportedly told news organisation Fars.

Since then, officials have issued out alerts to people living in Iran to be on their guard and watch out for plans to attack Islamic beliefs and values.

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Edinburgh Armed Forces Day 2011 Security

Security will be comprehensive and tight for the central Armed Forces Day event in Scotland, UK, on 25 June 2011.

While a nationwide celebration of, and tribute to, the role played by the British armed forces, the main focus will be in Edinburgh and, correspondingly, a massive police operation will be in place, with the event being classed on the same scale as the visit of the Pope in 2010.

Not only will the main Armed Forces Day event be attended by an estimated 100,000 people, but it will also see the attendance of dignitaries including David Cameron, the Prime Minister.

On that basis, police officers will be out in force, while a reserve force will be held back, ready for deployment should security requirements dictate it.

Security situations that could arise at the central Armed Forces Day 2011 event include protests against members of the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy or British Army and while, reportedly, no threats have been received, the local Lothian and Borders Police will be joined on this occasion by Royal Military Police and Ministry of Defence Police, just in case.

"It's certainly up there with the papal visit, the climate camp protests at Gogarburn, and the Scottish Defence League demonstration and the associated protests last year", Gill Imery - Chief Superintendent- advised The Scotsman publication, adding: "It's an event of UK significance."

"There have been no applications received by the council for organised protests, but we're very mindful that because of the profile of the event and the attention it'll attract, there's always a possibility that someone will seek to exploit that for whatever purpose", Imery - in command of the Edinburgh Armed Forces Day security operation - continued.

"We have contingency plans in place, and have a significant number of officers in reserve."

Armed Forces Day has been held on an annual basis since 2009. The 2011 editions boasts numerous attractions, including the RAF Red Arrows aerobatic team.

Armed Forces Day 2009 image copyright geojoc - courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

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