NATO ENSEC COE Experts Took Part in Cyber Defence Exercise “Locked Shields 2019”

“Locked Shields 2019” is one of the world’s largest and most complex live-fire cyber defence exercises which happened on April 9-12^th. Large chunk of exercise attendees were based on the premises of the NATO ENSEC COE. This exercise simulated responding to a massive cyber incident, including strategic decision making, legal and communication aspects. This let cyber experts practice protection of national IT systems and critical infrastructure under the intense pressure of a severe cyberattack.

This year, exercise focused on the protection of key systems of energy and communication that our life, both in the military and civilian spheres, depends upon. To keep up with the technology advancements, Locked Shields 2019 focused on realistic scenarios and cutting-edge technologies, relevant networks and attack methods.

As a highly valued expert of energy infrastructure security, Subject Matter Expert Vytautas Paul BUTRIMAS from NATO ENSEC COE Research and Lessons Learned Division also joined the exercise. He shared his expertise of cybersecurity challenges, especially those which pose threat to strategic energy infrastructure all over the world. Mr BUTRIMAS assisted a joint team of specialists from the National Cyber Security Centre and the Lithuanian Armed Forces together with partners from the U.S. and Georgia.

Locked Shields 2019 is organised by CCDCOE in cooperation with the Estonian Defence Forces, the Finnish Defence Forces, the United States European Command, National Security Research Institute of the Republic of Korea, TalTech, and industry partners. One of the largest cyber defence exercises in the world is a unique opportunity for national cyber experts to practise protection of national IT systems and critical infrastructure under the intense pressure of a severe cyberattack.