The Irish Defence Forces are taking part in the world's largest cyber defence training exercise this week which is being run by NATO.
The operation, Cyber Coalition 25, involves a series of cyber war games in which teams must respond to simulated attacks on fictitious countries.
As well as the Defence Forces, Ireland's cohort includes the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and cyber experts from the private sector.
There are also representatives from the ESB and Iarnród Éireann to advise on how to respond to attacks on critical infrastructure such as power grids and transport networks.
Authorities have warned that Ireland could become a target of major cyber attacks next year when it takes over the EU Presidency.
"We, the Defence Forces, are participating in collaboration with NATO member states, other nation partners, organisations and agencies in enhancing cyber resilience to deter, defend and ultimately to defeat cyber compromises or threats across the cyberspace," said Brigadier General Mark Staunton.
"Many of the scenarios that we are engaging in are based on real world scenarios."
"We're actively engaged in developing capability in collaboration, not only with members of the Defence Forces, but also critical national infrastructure providers, cyber industry experts and the general cyber ecosystem within Ireland are all being exercised here today."
There has been much focus on Ireland's ability to defend the many subsea cables located in Irish waters.
One of the scenarios in this week's cyber training exercise involves the cutting of a subsea cable.
"The cutting of a subsea cable ultimately will slow down the command and control of the conduct of an operation," Brigadier General Staunton said.
"So there's merit or utility in exercising against that scenario, to try and route around it, and to still maintain effective command and control," he added.
Cyber Coalition provides the opportunity to conduct cyberspace operations for military and civilian entities by exercising the development of situational awareness, sharing of cyberspace intelligence, and the conduct of cyber incident management.
The operation began last Friday and will run until tomorrow.
