The banner is simply a symbol of patriotism, valor, honor and devotion to the Republic – noted Deputy Head of the MON Stanisław Wzątek during the ceremony of awarding the flag to the Commander of the Cyberspace defence Army. This fresh component of the armed forces is liable in the defence department for areas related to cryptology, cybersecurity and ICT systems.
– The banner is an expression of unity, a symbol of our unit in service to the homeland and readiness to defend its independency – said at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw Maj. Gen. Karol Molenda, Component Commander Cyberspace defence Forces, during the ceremony of awarding the flag of the WOC Component Command, given to these troops by president Andrzej Duda. The general stressed that giving the flag was the top expression of assurance and appreciation of the fact that the WOC defends Polish cybersecurity 24 hours a day. – Cyber soldiers and personnel of the defence troops of cyberspace have full proven their service and attitude that this trust and this flag deserve," said the WOC commander. He added that the ability to defend cyberspace is 1 of the foundations of national security.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stressed the crucial function of cyber-military in a letter addressed to the participants of the ceremony. "The liable tasks entrusted to you: to build, implement and keep cryptological technologies and to guarantee the ICT safety of the full hotel are crucial in today's reality to the permanent threat of a hybrid war," wrote the head of the MON. He added that the banner that cyber soldiers are receiving present is not only a hallmark, but besides a sign of unity, power and forces of the soldiers centered around him. "It is simply a large privilege and an even greater commitment," the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out. On the another hand, Stanisław Wąątek, Deputy Minister of Defence, thanked the WOC soldiers for their exemplary and excellent service and for their constant vigilance, defending Polish cyberspace. “Let this banner be a symbol of patriotism, valour, honor and devotion to the Republic for you,” said the deputy chief of the MON.
On the another hand, Gen. Maj. Andrzej Reudowicz, typical of president Duda, stressed that the military banner was a symbol of unity. "The rank of the flag is evidenced by the fact that soldiers curse on it," added the general. He besides stated that although cyber forces were formed comparatively recently, without their support no kind of armed force is able to carry out its activities. – Cyber soldiers play an crucial function in shaping the resilience of the state," said Gen. Reudowicz.
The godmother of the banner was Joanna Kaczmarczyk, a descendant of Colonel Maximilian the Heavy, co-founder of a squad of mathematicians and cryptologists, Who broke Enigma encryption device code. The godfather is Janusz Różycki, boy of Jerzy Różycki, who together with Marian Rejewski and Henry Zygalski broke this code. “I want you would be united under this banner and inspired by the works of my father and his colleagues to defend the Republic firmly”, wrote Janusz Różycki, in a letter to the WOC soldiers, who for wellness reasons could not be present at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
During the ceremony, representatives of the President, the MON, the General Staff of the Polish Army, the commander of the WOC, the godmother and representatives of all corps of cyberspace defence troops put the nails of honor in the flag tree. It was then consecrated by military chaplains and presented to WOC soldiers. The celebration ended with the laying of wreaths on the disc of the Unknown Soldier.
Cyber soldiers had another occasion to celebrate today, as they first officially performed in the fresh pattern uniforms. So far, their field clothes were uniforms utilized in individual types of troops. Under the decree of the Minister of Defence, they will now service in sand-colored uniforms in protective camouflage, dark blue berets and dark blue scarves under the neck. In the first phase the fresh uniforms will be given to DKWOC soldiers. They will then be successively introduced into another cyber units.
Cyberspace defence troops are a new, specialized component of the armed forces, liable for areas related to cryptology, cybersecurity and the construction and operation of ICT systems. The key tasks of the WOC are: ensuring the ICT safety of the MON, conducting research, designing, building, implementing, utilizing and protecting national cryptological technologies. WOC experts make modern methods of incidental detection in cyberspace, plan solutions to defend and safe information, and make their own cryptographic methods and devices. Their task is besides to guarantee the appropriate functioning of the consequence squad on the MON Computer safety Incidents, which monitors the defence ministry's networks 24/7 and performs tasks in the field of protection and defence of Polish cyberspace.
In cyberspace defence troops service and work more than 6.5 1000 soldiers and workers. This component consists of 13 units. In addition, the structure of the WOC includes: Military Office for Frequency Management, Command Systems Support Centre, Action Support Unit, Cyberspace Resource Centre and six Regional Information Centres.
