What Shanghai’s “Panshi Action” Cyber Drill Reveals About Industry Security

On March 10, 2022, the Shanghai Municipal Communications Administration, together with the municipal Cyberspace Administration, Economic and Information Commission, Public Security Bureau, and Changxing Island Management Committee, held the concluding conference of the 2022 "Panshi Action" network security offensive‑defensive drill. The event reported the drill’s outcomes and recognized Shanghai Shizhuang Information Technology Co., Ltd. (the POIZON app) as an "Outstanding Blue Team".

The "Panshi Action" drill was launched in accordance with the Cybersecurity Law, Data Security Law, Personal Information Protection Law, the overall layout plan for Digital China, and Shanghai’s action plan for building a cybersecurity innovation hub (2021‑2023). Its purpose was to ensure robust network security for major activities, enhance the city’s industrial and information sector’s defensive capabilities, and conduct a comprehensive, multi‑domain practical exercise.

Through meticulous planning, the drill exceeded expectations: it refined adjudication rules, selected participating teams, defined attack‑defense targets, built scenario environments, and organized live offensive‑defensive operations. Thirty elite domestic security teams conducted real‑world attacks and defenses against 123 key telecom, internet, vehicular‑network, and industrial‑internet enterprises in Shanghai. The exercise significantly improved emergency response mechanisms, identified and eliminated security risks, and strengthened the capabilities of protection teams. It also promoted the construction of industry‑wide security frameworks, enhanced corporate defensive posture, and fostered coordinated development of cybersecurity talent.

During the ceremony, representatives from the Communications Administration, judges, and both offensive and defensive sides presented a comprehensive overview of the drill’s overall performance and key achievements. Awards were given for first, second, and third places, as well as for outstanding red‑team, blue‑team, adjudication unit, organizing unit, progress unit, support unit, and notable results. The Shanghai Communications Administration also honored its 2022 outstanding support units.

In his closing remarks, Director Wang Tianguang of the Shanghai Communications Administration highlighted the rapid growth of the city’s information‑communication sector and its pivotal role in Shanghai’s digital transformation. He emphasized that the success of "Panshi Action" has further bolstered security capabilities, refined management mechanisms, and created a reliable environment for high‑quality industry development. Wang outlined three expectations for the sector: strengthen baseline thinking and deepen security awareness, enhance collaborative governance to solidify defensive foundations, and build a resilient security “rock” to safeguard economic and social progress.