CAF’s Contribution to Securing Latvia’s Cyber Infrastructure

March 13, 2025 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time - 2:30

By: Major Christopher Daniel

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Cyber Task Force, part of Operation REASSURANCE, plays a critical role in helping to safeguard Latvia’s digital infrastructure. Major Kiernan Broda-Milian, who recently took command of the task force, shared his perspective on the mission and the increasing importance of cybersecurity in the region.

“Latvia's Computer Emergency Response Team, which is part of the National Cybersecurity Centre in Latvia, is highly skilled and professional,” said Major Broda-Milian. “I’ve also been impressed by the progress the Task Force made over the past three years, building it from the ground up. What began with simple open-source tools has now evolved into a much more advanced and user-friendly system.”

The Cyber Task Force focuses on defensive operations, aiming to detect and neutralize cyber threats before they can cause harm. “Our job is to stay vigilant, like watchkeepers in a tower,” explained Major Broda-Milian. “We monitor for potential threats, identify them early, and collaborate with local authorities to address them.”

A core element of their work is threat hunting, which Major Broda-Milian likened to forensic investigation. “Think of it like forensics, but for the digital world,” he said. “We’re called in when something doesn’t seem right. We first identify what’s normal for a network, and then we look for anything unusual. Our goal is to catch attackers before they can cause significant damage.”

The team takes a methodical approach to threat detection. By understanding the typical operations of a network, they can spot anomalies such as unusual traffic or devices making unexpected connections. “Cyberattacks are like planning a heist,” Major Broda-Milian noted. “We aim to catch the attackers in the planning stage, before they can break into the digital vault.”

Canada’s presence in Latvia supports NATO’s broader mission to ensure security in the region, particularly in light of cyber threats from adversaries. “Our presence here strengthens Latvia’s defences and makes it harder for cybercriminals to target them. The more we bolster their cybersecurity, the fewer resources attackers have to target other nations, including Canada,” Major Broda-Milian explained.

Since the unprovoked Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, cyberattacks have grown both more frequent and sophisticated. “Our mission has never been more crucial,” said Major Broda-Milian. “By helping protect Latvia, we’re contributing to the broader goal of securing the world’s digital networks.”

In Canada, Major Broda-Milian is a member of CAF Cyber Command (CAFCYBERCOM), established in 2024 to enhance Canada’s cyber capabilities. CAFCYBERCOM consolidates the CAF’s cyber operations into a unified command, improving coordination and readiness for both offensive and defensive operations. It works closely with the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) to strengthen Canada’s cybersecurity and its ability to address emerging global threats.