The Locked Shields 2026 exercise, hailed as the largest live-fire cyber defense event globally, concluded on Friday. This year, the exercise successfully gathered over 4,000 participants representing 41 countries, marking a significant collaboration in cyber resilience.
NATO’s CCDCOE Hosts Global Cyber Exercise
Coordinated by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) in Tallinn, Estonia, this event simulated rigorous, real-time cyberattacks targeting crucial infrastructure and military systems. It aimed to evaluate the participants’ capabilities in sustaining essential services during cyber crises.
The participant count mirrored that of the previous year, 2025, maintaining a consistent level of international engagement. The exercise challenged teams with the protection of critical systems, such as air defense and electronic voting platforms. Besides technical prowess, participants were tested on their ability to counter disinformation and manage political challenges.
Challenges and Achievements
Tõnis Saar, the Director of NATO CCDCOE, highlighted the participants’ adeptness in identifying and countering hostile activities. Saar stressed the importance of applying the insights gained from such exercises to enhance real-world readiness, especially as artificial intelligence continues to alter both defensive and offensive cyber strategies.
In the 2026 edition, sixteen multinational teams competed, with joint teams from France and Sweden, Latvia and Singapore, as well as Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, and Switzerland ranking as the top performers, albeit in no specific order.
Fostering International Cyber Collaboration
Dan Ungureanu, the Exercise Director, emphasized the primary objective of Locked Shields: to strengthen international cooperation, cultivate trust, and foster a unified understanding of cyberspace resilience. The event has seen substantial growth since its inception in 2010, when only four nations and 60 individuals participated.
As cyber threats evolve, events like Locked Shields are critical in preparing nations to effectively respond to cyber warfare, ensuring the protection of vital systems and infrastructure worldwide.
