The Brazilian Armed Forces deploy Troops and technology to protect the country’s borders and its cyberspace
With a combination of well-trained Troops and advanced technology, the Brazilian Armed Forces is prepared to to defend the country along its borders and in cyberspace.
For example, the Integrated Border Monitoring System (SISFRON) is designed to monitor incidents along the country’s 17,000 kilometers of border through an advanced system that includes digital stations and ground-based radars as well as Military units.
Border monitoring system to enter second phase
The SISFRON project is expected to enter its pilot phase by the end of 2015. Because Brazil shares its extensive borders with 10 countries, the goal of the project is to create a system that is capable of monitoring incidents along the entire border through its advanced resources.
The Armed Forces chose to initiate the pilot phase of SISFRON in the Western Military Command, in Mato Grosso do Sul. Work on the project began in November, 2014. Depending on the availability of funding, the government will sign contracts to go forward with the second phase in 2015, according to Lieutenant General Luiz Felipe Linhares Gomes, head of the Army Project Office (EPEx).
Military plans call for SISFRON to extend to the northern region of the country, where where the States of Rondônia and Acre border Bolivia and Peru, and to the South, where the State of Paraná shares a border with Paraguay and Argentina.
To boost the country’s technological independence and generate civilian jobs, the government is primarily contracting Brazilian companies to develop the technological apparatus for SISFRON, Lt. Gen. Linhares explained.
“The directive of the Army is that at least 60 percent of the funds must be directed to domestic companies,” he said. “SISFRON has 75 percent of its equipment manufactured by Brazilian companies, and we intend to further increase that percentage.”
Protecting Brazil from cyberattacks
While SISFRON will help bolster security along Brazil’s borders, the Cyber Defense Project is protecting the country from cyberattacks.
Since the project was created in 2009, it has produced information security systems, intrusion detection programs, and defense and cyber warfare simulators.
The team working on cyber defense has helped the Armed Forces and law enforcement authorities bolster security at major events hosted by Brazil, including the World Military Games (2011), Pope Francis’s visit (2013), and the World Cup (2014), according to Colonel João Paulo Da Cás, head of Institutional Relations with EPEx.
“We were the ones who prepared all of the network protection for those events,” he said. “And we didn’t have any problems with attacks by hackers or anything like that.”
In 2015, the main goals of the Cyber Defense project include the construction of Software Defined Radio, developed by the Cyber Defense Center (CDCiber) (CDCiber) in partnership with a dozen Brazilian universities.
The equipment will have the capacity to transmit information with almost 100 percent security, Col. Da Cás explained. This will include not just sound, but also images and other types of data.
“Right now, this type of transmission is still carried out in an unsecured manner, because the information circulates through channels shared with civilians,” he explained. “The Software-Defined Radio will allow frequency hopping. The possibility of data being intercepted will be minimal.”
A broad technological strategy
The Cyber Defense Project is part of a broad strategy to maximize the use of technology to defend Brazil against cyberattacks. The country’s information technology work in cooperation with its nuclear and space sectors to bolster the country’s security.
The approach is outlined by the National Defense Strategy, approved by the federal government in 2008. The information technology sector, together with the space and nuclear sectors, were defined as decisive elements for Brazil in the National Defense Strategy (END). The plan divided responsibilities among the branches of the Armed Forces.
The information technology field falls to the Army, while the other two are the responsibility of the Air Force and the Navy, respectively.
The strategy is contained in a document which includes guidelines for reaching objectives and modernizing the structure of the Brazilian defense system.
These objectives are related to the need to respond to the new challenges and demands of contemporary Brazil.
“It is necessary to meet the demands of economic growth and foreign policy,” Lt. Gen. Linhares said. “The country wants to project itself as a global player, and it is aiming for a seat on the UN Security Council. To join this select group, we have to work with our Military.”
The Army Project Office is at the center of the transformation process recommended by the National Defense Strategy. The body was created in 2012 with a mission to manage the Army’s portfolio of strategic projects.
The seven projects managed by the EPEx are considered “Capacity Generators,” because they allow the institution to act in a flexible manner, working not only to fulfill their constitutional mandate, but also to deliver results to society.
Lt. Gen. Linhares refers to this as duality.
The importance of teamwork
An example of this duality is the Astros 2020 project, which is currently developing a tactical missile with a range of up to 300 kilometers. The work is being handled entirely by the Brazilian company Avibras.
This demonstrates how it is possible to align multiple goals, according to Lt. Gen. Linhares: The expansion of technology parks nationwide, job creation, and defense of national sovereignty.
In line with Astros 2020 is the Proteger project, whose scope is to ensure the protection of the so-called Strategic Land Structures. These structures form the infrastructure of the country, such as transmission lines for electricity and financial information, refineries, and the land routes that transport domestic production.
To expand the operational capacity of the Ground Forces in operations to protect these assets, the project includes the implementation of an interagency operational model. “It’s as if there were crisis management personnel throughout the country, reporting back to Brasília, determining corrective actions,” Lt. Gen. Linhares explains.
To do this, it will be necessary to employ a complex information technology and crisis management system. In 2015, the coordinators of Proteger are expected to put out a call for domestic companies to participate in different fronts opened by the project, including building construction, software creation, and communications.
The Air Defense project is also participating in efforts to secure the country’s infrastructure. Currently, the project is in the process of acquiring a medium-range artillery system, which can reach targets within a distance of 15,000 meters. Brazil does not yet have these weapons, despite having made progress in modernizing its equipment, mainly through the success of the Operational Capacity Recovery (RECOP) project.
Lt. Gen. Linhares noted that with the creation of the National Defense Strategy, there was a change in the perception that defense is not just the responsibility of the Armed Forces, but of society as a whole.
In light of this, the country has increased its investment in the modernization of equipment.
“In 2015, RECOP was renamed OCOP (Achievement of Full Operational Capacity), because we have already passed the recovery phase,” Lt. Gen. Linhares said.
With a combination of well-trained Troops and advanced technology, the Brazilian Armed Forces is prepared to to defend the country along its borders and in cyberspace.
For example, the Integrated Border Monitoring System (SISFRON) is designed to monitor incidents along the country’s 17,000 kilometers of border through an advanced system that includes digital stations and ground-based radars as well as Military units.
Border monitoring system to enter second phase
The SISFRON project is expected to enter its pilot phase by the end of 2015. Because Brazil shares its extensive borders with 10 countries, the goal of the project is to create a system that is capable of monitoring incidents along the entire border through its advanced resources.
The Armed Forces chose to initiate the pilot phase of SISFRON in the Western Military Command, in Mato Grosso do Sul. Work on the project began in November, 2014. Depending on the availability of funding, the government will sign contracts to go forward with the second phase in 2015, according to Lieutenant General Luiz Felipe Linhares Gomes, head of the Army Project Office (EPEx).
Military plans call for SISFRON to extend to the northern region of the country, where where the States of Rondônia and Acre border Bolivia and Peru, and to the South, where the State of Paraná shares a border with Paraguay and Argentina.
To boost the country’s technological independence and generate civilian jobs, the government is primarily contracting Brazilian companies to develop the technological apparatus for SISFRON, Lt. Gen. Linhares explained.
“The directive of the Army is that at least 60 percent of the funds must be directed to domestic companies,” he said. “SISFRON has 75 percent of its equipment manufactured by Brazilian companies, and we intend to further increase that percentage.”
Protecting Brazil from cyberattacks
While SISFRON will help bolster security along Brazil’s borders, the Cyber Defense Project is protecting the country from cyberattacks.
Since the project was created in 2009, it has produced information security systems, intrusion detection programs, and defense and cyber warfare simulators.
The team working on cyber defense has helped the Armed Forces and law enforcement authorities bolster security at major events hosted by Brazil, including the World Military Games (2011), Pope Francis’s visit (2013), and the World Cup (2014), according to Colonel João Paulo Da Cás, head of Institutional Relations with EPEx.
“We were the ones who prepared all of the network protection for those events,” he said. “And we didn’t have any problems with attacks by hackers or anything like that.”
In 2015, the main goals of the Cyber Defense project include the construction of Software Defined Radio, developed by the Cyber Defense Center (CDCiber) (CDCiber) in partnership with a dozen Brazilian universities.
The equipment will have the capacity to transmit information with almost 100 percent security, Col. Da Cás explained. This will include not just sound, but also images and other types of data.
“Right now, this type of transmission is still carried out in an unsecured manner, because the information circulates through channels shared with civilians,” he explained. “The Software-Defined Radio will allow frequency hopping. The possibility of data being intercepted will be minimal.”
A broad technological strategy
The Cyber Defense Project is part of a broad strategy to maximize the use of technology to defend Brazil against cyberattacks. The country’s information technology work in cooperation with its nuclear and space sectors to bolster the country’s security.
The approach is outlined by the National Defense Strategy, approved by the federal government in 2008. The information technology sector, together with the space and nuclear sectors, were defined as decisive elements for Brazil in the National Defense Strategy (END). The plan divided responsibilities among the branches of the Armed Forces.
The information technology field falls to the Army, while the other two are the responsibility of the Air Force and the Navy, respectively.
The strategy is contained in a document which includes guidelines for reaching objectives and modernizing the structure of the Brazilian defense system.
These objectives are related to the need to respond to the new challenges and demands of contemporary Brazil.
“It is necessary to meet the demands of economic growth and foreign policy,” Lt. Gen. Linhares said. “The country wants to project itself as a global player, and it is aiming for a seat on the UN Security Council. To join this select group, we have to work with our Military.”
The Army Project Office is at the center of the transformation process recommended by the National Defense Strategy. The body was created in 2012 with a mission to manage the Army’s portfolio of strategic projects.
The seven projects managed by the EPEx are considered “Capacity Generators,” because they allow the institution to act in a flexible manner, working not only to fulfill their constitutional mandate, but also to deliver results to society.
Lt. Gen. Linhares refers to this as duality.
The importance of teamwork
An example of this duality is the Astros 2020 project, which is currently developing a tactical missile with a range of up to 300 kilometers. The work is being handled entirely by the Brazilian company Avibras.
This demonstrates how it is possible to align multiple goals, according to Lt. Gen. Linhares: The expansion of technology parks nationwide, job creation, and defense of national sovereignty.
In line with Astros 2020 is the Proteger project, whose scope is to ensure the protection of the so-called Strategic Land Structures. These structures form the infrastructure of the country, such as transmission lines for electricity and financial information, refineries, and the land routes that transport domestic production.
To expand the operational capacity of the Ground Forces in operations to protect these assets, the project includes the implementation of an interagency operational model. “It’s as if there were crisis management personnel throughout the country, reporting back to Brasília, determining corrective actions,” Lt. Gen. Linhares explains.
To do this, it will be necessary to employ a complex information technology and crisis management system. In 2015, the coordinators of Proteger are expected to put out a call for domestic companies to participate in different fronts opened by the project, including building construction, software creation, and communications.
The Air Defense project is also participating in efforts to secure the country’s infrastructure. Currently, the project is in the process of acquiring a medium-range artillery system, which can reach targets within a distance of 15,000 meters. Brazil does not yet have these weapons, despite having made progress in modernizing its equipment, mainly through the success of the Operational Capacity Recovery (RECOP) project.
Lt. Gen. Linhares noted that with the creation of the National Defense Strategy, there was a change in the perception that defense is not just the responsibility of the Armed Forces, but of society as a whole.
In light of this, the country has increased its investment in the modernization of equipment.
“In 2015, RECOP was renamed OCOP (Achievement of Full Operational Capacity), because we have already passed the recovery phase,” Lt. Gen. Linhares said.
The Brazilian police are great. Do we have enough military force to confront a real war? They should never let a new war occur in Brazil. They should act urgently because of so much violence. Always maintain peace. As much as they might have to defend Brazil, if they don’t defend themselves against internal criminals, what makes you think they would against external ones. Brazil is a country rich in everything, so we have to defend our rights, strictly monitor borders, corruption, safety, health care, education, etc. This is the only way we will become a first world country. I love my country, Brazil! Because we are Brazilians, our duty is to defend our homeland. No, Brazil is not ready to go to war. The country has the strength, but we shouldn’t surprise ourselves. We are very confident, but the country has to be dedicated to peace. Why don’t you over there in the news rooms try to talk more about love, peace, hope and helping those who need it most? You only know how to talk about killing, stealing and political parties. Also, only after the PT (Worker’s Party) won did so much news about stealing start to appear. Why is it that before, you didn’t report much about other parties stealing? Is it perhaps that they never did anything wrong? Stop accusing people. If you think that they are doing something wrong, all you have to do is take what they steal and return it to the government. Then, try to discover if it’s true or not. Also, do away with some of the political parties. I don’t know why there are so many political parties. This information should be made public so that we know about news concerning our national security. Also, the role of the Armed Forces in our country should be made known. These stories about war are scaring me guys! Well, I think that our police needs better and more powerful weapons, specialized training and a better salary because these are very good incentives for professional performance, and in my opinion, they’re people. I hope that the Brazilian Armed Forces aren’t contaminated by the political garbage that’s there. Our commanders are absolutely right. Always invest in the Armed Forces. It would be interesting if society was also responsible for the security of our nation, as stated by our Lieutenant General. The Brazilian Navy needs equipment. Our borders are open to drug and arms trafficking. This mustn’t go on. With the government crooks in power, we are left unprotected in our own country. The Armed Forces urgently need to take over the country. No war, and by no means could we endure it? You mean we aren’t enduring it now? The Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) wants to sell all our minerals, and this is worse than war because we would soon be panhandlers. Says who? All of our great economists. It’s already done. It can be proven. Everything that is happening is only to sell Petrobras, which is the largest company in the world, larger than the Arabs. You guys are ignorant (useful) with your titles and voters. Take a hike. What the PSDB is doing is domestic terrorism, which is worse than foreign terrorism. I think that they will win this fight. No. It’s failure, poor preparation, poor pay, underappreciation. Excellent information that must be disclosed to more and more Brazilians. YOU GUYS NEED TO STUDY FIRST IN ORDER TO WRITE CORRECTLY. Armed Forces in the streets so that Brazilians have the right to come and go safely, and not be at the mercy of criminals, having their lives taken by a group of gunmen who kill mercilessly. We have a very rich country, but dominated by rampant violence. To you politicians, if you have any shame at all, stop the corruption and look at Brazil with more dignity, at the suffering people who support the greatness of our country. Do you politicians reflect? When it comes to security, doesn’t the country’s sovereignty include opening accounts abroad with Brazilian money? Very good. Let’s get the military out of the barracks, and give them work. That way, society feels safe and honored with relevant services. That’s more than right! It was about time, huh? Put these people on the borders to prevent the entrance of drugs, which are ruining Brazilian families, not to mention our youth. Wow, how beautiful! read I would like to know what Brazil is protected from. Drugs, arms, international traffickers and so much more garbage gets in. So, what is Brazil protected from? If everyone joins in prayer in the name of Jesus [Christ], the world changes for the better. If not, the wrath of God remains. In Brazil, there is a lot missing to have a better and safe Brazil for all of us. All it takes is our governing leaders to make more decisions, know what to do and not begin a lot of foolishness. Accident involving Maranhense on the Aripuanã River, Amazonia. I believe that it’s past time that the Armed Forces vehemently take on securing our borders. I don’t believe that Brazilian soldiers are prepared to patrol communities like what happened in Rio De Janeiro. Guarding our borders, it is certain that the entry of drugs will be curbed and our youth will be free of this crap, which every kind of illegal drug is, the fuel for trafficking.