In early may, Kirei staff participated in the cyber defense exercise Locked Shields. Locked Shields is the world’s biggest cyber defense exercise and are arranged early by NATO’s Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence (CCD CoE) located in Tallinn.
Locked Shields includes strategical, operational, tactical and technical injects. The scenario for Locked Shields is fictional but realistic where a nation is subjected to extensive cyber-attacks, which the participants need to handle during limited time. The participants are trained to counter the attacks, and at the same time deal with strategical communication, analytical injects, user tickets, reporting in an international environment and national strategical inquiries. Legal questions connected to the overall exercise scenario are handled in parallel, focusing on international law.
17 teams in total participated in Locked Shields 2025, composed by 41 nations and together defending 8000 virtual systems in a life-like and complex environment. The Swedish participants where part of a international team, together with Iceland and US.
For Locked Shields 2025, The Swedish Armed Forces decided to focus exercise objectives towards cyber security and defense of critical infrastructure. The Swedish participants in the team where from the Swedish Armed Forces, other Swedish governmental authorities and civil organizations, and are all an important part in the main goal of the Swedish Armed Forces to ensure a robust national and global military defense and civilian resilience.
The Swedish Armed Forces also directed the exercise goals for Locked Shields 2025 towards the enhancement of international collaboration and cooperation within NATO. By both being part of an international team, the Swedish bi- and trilateral relations with Iceland and US where strengthen during the exercise. The exercise design also rewards collaboration between the teams, which increased the international cooperation.