ASD’s first national cyber security exercise for energy, communications and finance
In October 2025, the Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD's ACSC) ran Exercise Cyber Arrow. This was ASD’s largest cyber security drill to date and the first to involve many sectors from across Australia.
Cyber Arrow brought government, industry and critical infrastructure entities together from energy, communications and finance. The aim was to help them tailor how they prepare and protect their cyber security by improving their ability to detect and respond to a major cyber incident.
The drill was a hands-on experience so participants could practice digital forensics, incident response and investigation techniques. It helped them practice finding and reacting to cyber incidents to assess their cyber security plans and improve those areas that needed it.
Stephanie Crowe, Head of Australian Cyber Security Centre, noted the value of the drill.
Cyber security is a team sport. Exercises like Exercise Cyber Arrow that bring industry and government together are critically important to help build the relationships and muscle memory required to respond to a significant national cyber security incident, and minimise the potential impacts.
Acknowledgements
ASD would like to thank all who joined Cyber Arrow. Your input and time was valuable to planning and running Cyber Arrow, and has helped strengthen Australia’s cyber security.