2023 Locked Shields cyber-defense exercise held in Tallinn by NATO

Over 3000 participants from 38 countries – including, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Allies and partners – participated in the 2023 edition of the annual exercise “Locked Shields,” hosted by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn (Estonia). “Locked Shields” is the world’s largest cyber defence exercise. It started on 18 April 2023 and involved protecting computer systems from real-time attacks and simulating tactical and strategic decisions in critical situations.

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The exercise simulates the complexities of a large-scale cyber incident and will test the teams’ ability to execute strategic decisions and solve forensic, legal, and media challenges. With the latest technologies and relevant attack methods incorporated, Locked Shields 2023 will push the boundaries of cyber defence and reveal the best teams and strategies for protecting against modern-day threats.

About the Locked Shields exercise

Locked Shields is an annual cyber defence exercise that offers a sophisticated and realistic simulation of a large-scale cyber incident. Rapid Reaction Teams from different countries are mobilised during this event to aid a fictional nation in managing a massive cyber attack. The Blue Teams, composed of member nations of CCDCOE, are tasked with protecting the mock state’s information systems and critical infrastructure from thousands of attacks. They must also execute strategic decisions and solve forensic, legal, and media challenges. Locked Shields is designed to be realistic, incorporating the latest technologies and relevant attack methods.

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