The Attack the Networks Operational Course (ATNOC) gathers 21 attendees from 8 nations

29 November 2024.- From 18 to 29 November, the Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices – Centre of Excellence (C-IED COE) celebrated a new iteration of its Attack the Networks Operational Course at its facilities in Hoyo de Manzanares, Madrid.

Officially opened by the C-IED COE Deputy Director, American Colonel Christopher Bartos, the course gathered 21 students who belonged to different armies and law enforcement agencies from 8 nations.

The aim of the course, with new content and an updated format compared to previous editions, was to provide a multidisciplinary approach to C-IED. Instructors have based the sessions on the logical process of Attack the Networks, which includes four steps: understanding of contextual situation, human networks, engagement and assessment.

Following these steps, attendees have learnt to identify and analyze human networks through the awareness and understanding of the situation, with the aim of making recommendations on lethal and non-lethal ways to engage all kinds of networks and to assess possible effects in order to reduce the IED threat in an operational environment.

Sessions have been both theoretical and practical. Several exercices were conducted in ficticious scenarios where students had the chance to discuss, share experiences and exchange knowledge.