Cyber defense methods were used for the first time during the naval drills dubbed Velayat-91 going on in Iran’s southern waters.

Cyber defense methods were used for the first time during the naval drills dubbed Velayat-91 going on in Iran’s southern waters, the war game spokesman said.

Rear Admiral Amir Rastgari told stated Sunday that operations in the second day of the drills included cyber attacks carried out with the objective of infiltrating into enemy computers and accumulating information, state-run IRNA news agency reported.

He added that the Navy’s cyber defense units have successfully managed to thwart the invasion attempts by setting up firewalls and hindering hacking of their systems.

Noting that cyber attacks are aimed at snatching data and destroying information processing systems, he said the Navy’s cyber defense units conduct a precise checking on exchange of data through computerized systems.

The Iranian Navy started 6-day ‘Velayat 91′ naval exercises in Iran's southern waters on Friday.

According to Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, the drills cover international waters in Gulf of Oman, Hormuz Strait, North of Indian Ocean, Aden Gulf and Bab el Mandeb Strait in south of the country.

The objectives of the drills are to demonstrate the Navy capabilities in defending Iran's interests and safeguarding the country's water borders as well as conveying the message of peace and friendship to the neighboring states, Sayyari said.