The international cyber exercise “Locked Shields 24” took place from April 23 to 25. More than 4,000 experts from 40 nations protected the critical infrastructure of a fictitious state in a simulated environment. This year, the Austrian contingent practiced with Swiss and American soldiers in Switzerland. Together, they overcame complex cyber threats and improved international cooperation.
“Participation in ‘Locked Shields 2024’ underlines our ongoing commitment to cyber security and international cooperation. Such exercises are crucial to strengthen our defense capabilities and to be prepared for the challenges we face due to growing hybrid threats in cyberspace,” said Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner.
Objectives of the exercise
“Locked Shields” is the world’s largest and most challenging cyber exercise organized by NATO organized annually since 2010. The aim is to strengthen the participants’ defense capabilities, work on international IT systems and defend critical infrastructures against large-scale cyber attacks. The Austrian contingent was supported by specialists from the Swiss army and American cyber defense units. This cooperation enables a valuable exchange of experience and strengthens the teams’ ability to respond jointly to complex cyber security incidents.
The cyber forces of the Austrian Armed Forces take all necessary measures to protect the military networks and are available to the entire country on request. The cyber forces are responsible for ensuring that all types of communication and data transmission can take place smoothly in the respective networks. Since 2022, the Theresian Military Academy has also been offering a dedicated course of study for military information and communication technology.
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