Locked Shields 2023 is hosted by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence (CCDCOE NATO) and trains over 3 thousand participants representing 38 nations. It is based on a realistic fictional scenario that challenges the training audience to defend actual computer systems against thousands of attacks and to take tactical and strategic decisions in critical situations.
This year Lithuania has delegated the record 120-strong team of subject-matter experts whose task will be not only to protect the systems, strengthen their security and carry out the required research, but also to report the technical information accurately to the strategic-level team so that it is able to make the simulated decisions in the areas of international law and strategic communication. The complex and multi-layered Locked Shields 2023 scenario assembles the national components of the cybersecurity community and not only trains their cybersecurity skills but also enhances the interoperability of private and public sector experts. Such exercises are a particularly significant input in strengthening our national readiness to act together in response to potential cyber crises,” says Director of the National Cyber Security Centre Liudas Ališauskas.
The organizing team of 400 members drew up the exercise plan and created over 5 thousand virtual purposes for the training. The teams training in the exercise act as national cyber rapid response capabilities deployed in assistance of a fictional state suffering from large-scale cyber-attacks. The cyber response has a task to help the fictional country and to protect its critical infrastructure.
“There is no another cyber defence exercise like Locked Shields that can offer such specialized and detailed experience. 24 Blue Teams from across the globe have to keep critical infrastructure and IT systems operation. They are able to showcase their capability to ensure the systems function in real-life conditions and under high pressure,” says Directory of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence Mart Noorma.
Exercise Locked Shields has been held since 2010 on an annual basis. Last year the joint team of Lithuanian and Polish team came second among 24 teams demonstrating a steadfast cyber defence. Last year’s winner of the Exercise was Finland.
