NATO STO

The symposium’s presentation and panels will focus on the following five topics: 1) Enhanced regional focus on the Baltic, Black, and Arctic Seas The symposium will highlight the work done by the teams dedicated to the Arctic, Black and Baltic Seas. While these analyses will be separate, there will be an interrelated component which emphasizes standardized capabilities and interoperability in the energy sector across all disciplines. The NATO defense posture along with the broader area of hybrid warfare and the supply chain will also be considered. This symposium will explore the potential of a deeper analysis of the continued threat posed to NATO member state security via the confluence of hybrid warfare and the energy sector. 2) The broader geo-political implications and strategic foresight assessment Notably, how does NATO operate in the energy global commons and what future considerations should be considered? What challenges and investments should the Alliance consider addressing the mid-century security environment, notably in the eastern tier? 3) Enhancing NATO resilience, capabilities and interoperability Emphasis on military operational capabilities development and interoperability, and better integration into the NATO Warfare Development Agenda (WDA), Line of Deliveries (LODs) and the NATO Defense Planning Process (NDPP). Interoperability deserves greater emphasis. The goal is to identify gaps and inform current capabilities and interoperability. Resilience among NATO warfighters is the ability to operate in a potentially resource-constrained environment. Resource-constraints can arise from conflict, or from the energy transition to meet net-zero targets by 2050. A deeper assessment of malign influence in the energy sector will be explored. For instance, the importance of an effective strategic communications division to address misinformation efforts will be a main emphasis of the symposium. 4) Advanced Cyber Defense Topics Concentrating on Early Warning The cyber working group will focus on creating a virtual model prototype to improve maritime security by protecting energy critical infrastructure from cyber-attacks. Specifically, the model will focus on the topic: "Threat detection and cyber security incidents prevention in microgrids using emerging technologies - Energy resilience through automatic insulation". How can a microgrid best be isolated from national grid infrastructure to ensure independent energy security and protection from cyber-attacks? Energy storage systems and controllable loads may also be examined. The prototype will use real data from microgrid hardware, wind turbines, photovoltaic panels, biomass, and wave energy extractors to create accurate detection of normal cyber behavior for early detection of malicious cyber intrusions into energy critical infrastructure. The University of Constanta has received EU funding that will provide for the software and hardware needed to produce the virtual demonstrator prototype. It is anticipated a demonstration of the prototype will be conducted during the symposium. 5) Exercise Results SAS-183 anticipates a successful completion of Nordic Pine 23 in September of 2023, from which relevant findings can be discussed at the symposium and leveraged for the final paper. We also anticipate other exercises, possibly in the Black Sea, which will balance our analysis on NATO’s eastern tier.