05.06.2026.
Tactical Exercise Cyber Tesla 2026
The tactical exercise Cyber Tesla 2026, organized by the Telecommunications and IT Department (J-6) of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, has been conducted at the Signal and IT Training Centre located at the Field Marshal Radomir Putnik barracks in Gornji Milanovac.
Held over five days under the theme “Defence of the Telecommunications and Information System Against Cyber Threats During the Preparation and Execution of Serbian Armed Forces Operations,” the exercise brought together specialists from the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, alongside representatives of the public and private sectors, as well as members of academia with relevant responsibilities and expertise in information security.The primary objective was to further develop the capabilities of the defence system to counter cyber-attacks, while strengthening cooperation with relevant bodies in the public and private sectors, as well as academia, in order to enhance the protection of the information space of the Republic of Serbia.
A key focus of the exercise was the early and timely detection of cyber threats that could significantly jeopardize the telecommunication and information system of the Republic of Serbia. Within a closed computer network, participants worked through a range of simulated security incidents, divided into categories, each with a limited amount of time allocated for resolution.The exercise director, Colonel Zoran Perišić, Head of the Information Security Centre, said that “Cyber Tesla” is designed to further enhance the defence system’s capabilities for protecting telecommunications and information systems against cyber threats.
- Through realistic, scenario-based training, participants practiced the detection, analysis, and mitigation of various cyber threats, the application of information security measures, and acting in line with doctrinal documents and standard operating procedures. Particular significance of exercises like this is reflected in the evaluation of the readiness of teams to respond to security incidents, as well as in the exchange of experiences and the further strengthening of cooperation between military, state, private, and academic sectors in protecting the information space of the Republic of Serbia – said Colonel Perišić. He also highlighted that this year’s exercise introduced team ranking based on how successful they were in identifying, analysing, and responding to cyber threats, which allowed for an additional assessment of the participants’ proficiency and effectiveness in applying procedures in simulated cyber incidents.Lieutenant Colonel Marko Premović of the Information Security Centre described participation in “Cyber Tesla 2026” as a significant professional experience, as it provided him with an opportunity to train alongside his colleagues under a wide range of cyber threat scenarios.
— Working in teams, exchanging information, and coordinating with participants from other units, institutions, and organizations, we have further strengthened our knowledge and skills in information security and cyber defence. What was particularly important for us was practicing standard operating procedures and making decisions under time pressure – Lieutenant Colonel Premović stated, adding that the introduction of team ranking allowed participants to assess their own performance, compare different approaches to task execution, and gain new experience that will be valuable in their future work and professional development.