Cyber Shield 2026 strengthens cyber partnership between North Carolina and Zambia

LUSAKA – The Republic of Zambia is strategically bolstering its digital defences through an ongoing partnership with the North Carolina National Guard, a collaboration prominently highlighted by the recent participation of Zambia Air Force Colonel Nkole Emmanuel Muyunda in the Cyber Shield 2026 exercise. Held from July 12-26, 2026, in Little Rock, Arkansas, this annual Department of Defense event served as a critical platform for Zambian military personnel to enhance their cybersecurity skills and deepen the bilateral security cooperation established in 2023. Colonel Muyunda's involvement underscores Zambia's proactive approach to addressing the escalating global cyber threat landscape. The Cyber Shield 2026 exercise offered comprehensive, hands-on training in vital areas such as threat hunting, malware analysis, incident response, network defense, and detection engineering. For Zambia, a nation actively working to fortify its digital infrastructure, this practical experience is invaluable. Colonel Muyunda expressed that the experience was "both challenging and rewarding," emphasizing the importance of cooperation, information sharing, and interoperability in combating cyber threats. This sentiment reflects Zambia's commitment to leveraging international partnerships to build robust cyber resilience. The partnership between the North Carolina National Guard and the Zambian Defense Force is facilitated through the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program (SPP), which aims to strengthen security cooperation, enhance military readiness, and cultivate long-term relationships. Since its inception in 2023, this alliance has created numerous opportunities for collaboration across various mission areas, with cybersecurity being a paramount focus. The exchange of knowledge and expertise during exercises like Cyber Shield is mutually beneficial, allowing both nations to learn from each other's unique challenges and operational environments. Beyond technical traini