# Brazil cyber defense development and regional cooperation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-cyber-defense-development-and-regional-cooperation
> Updated: 2026-09-21T10:38:21.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 3.

The Brazilian Army has initiated efforts to strengthen regional cybersecurity through institutional partnerships and large-scale training exercises.

Initially, the EDGE Group and the Brazilian Army announced the establishment of the first Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence (COE) in Latin America. This center, modeled after international benchmarks like NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, utilizes a collaborative model between government, industry, and academia to provide services such as digital forensics, incident response, and professional training.

Following this institutional development, the Brazilian Army’s Cyber Defense Command launched major exercises, including Operação Curupira III. These exercises involved over 3,000 participants globally and utilized Capture the Flag formats to test skills in cryptography and reverse engineering. Additionally, the Army hosted the first cyber defense exercise for the South American Army Cooperation Network (Recesa), focusing on joint responses to threats involving artificial intelligence and critical infrastructure.

Building on these capabilities, the Brazilian Armed Forces conducted the eighth edition of the Guardião Cibernético exercise from August 21 to 25, 2026. Coordinated by the Army’s Cyber Defense Command in partnership with the Navy and Air Force, the simulation took place simultaneously in Brasília and six other major cities, including Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The exercise involved over 1,300 participants from approximately 300 organizations, including government agencies and operators of essential services such as energy, water, and telecommunications. Observers from 14 foreign nations also participated. The simulation tested contingency plans against complex, coordinated cyberattack scenarios to strengthen the national cyber defense system, which is identified as a strategic sector under the National Defense Strategy (END).

## Claims

- The Guardião Cibernético exercise is in its eighth edition. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- The exercise takes place between August 21 and August 25. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- More than 1,300 participants from 300 organizations are involved in the simulation. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- Representatives from 14 foreign nations are participating in the exercise. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- The simulation is held simultaneously in Brasília, Rio de Janeiro, Manaus, Belém, Recife, São Paulo, and Curitiba. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- The exercise includes critical infrastructure sectors such as water, energy, telecommunications, and the financial market. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- The Brazilian Army, Navy, and Air Force are coordinating the cyber defense exercise. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- The cyber area is one of the three strategic sectors defined by the National Defense Strategy (END). (corroborated by 8 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-21: Brazilian Armed Forces launch 8th Guardião Cibernético cyber defense exercise

Brazil's Armed Forces have begun the 8th Guardião Cibernético exercise, a multi-city simulation involving 1,300 participants to test defenses for critical infrastructure like energy, water, and finance.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-conducts-large-scale-guardio-ciberntico-cyber-defense-exercise

### 2026-09-18: Brazilian Army conducts major cyber defense exercises

The Brazilian Army is leading major cyber defense exercises, including Operação Curupira III with 3,000 participants and a regional South American cooperation initiative to protect critical infrastructure.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazilian-army-conducts-major-cyber-defense-exercises

### 2026-08-26: EDGE Group and Brazilian Army to launch Latin American cyber defense center

EDGE Group and the Brazilian Army are establishing Latin America’s first Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence to bolster Brazil’s sovereign cybersecurity, digital forensics, and professional training capabilities

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/edge-group-and-brazilian-army-to-launch-latin-american-cyber-defense-center

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Cite as: Brazil cyber defense development and regional cooperation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-cyber-defense-development-and-regional-cooperation