Executive Summary
Publication Date: 2026-04-26
Locked Shields 2026, orchestrated by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE), stands as the world’s largest and most sophisticated international live-fire cyber defence exercise. This year’s event united over 4,000 participants from 41 nations, forming 16 multinational teams tasked with defending simulated national infrastructures against approximately 8,000 real-time cyberattacks. The exercise’s scope, realism, and integration of technical, legal, and strategic communication challenges underscore its critical role in strengthening global cyber resilience and fostering cross-sector collaboration.
Introduction
As cyber threats to critical infrastructure escalate in complexity and scale, exercises like Locked Shields have become essential for preparing nations, organizations, and individuals to respond effectively. Locked Shields 2026 not only tests the technical prowess of its participants but also their ability to manage legal, operational, and public communication challenges under intense pressure. The event’s multinational, cross-sector approach reflects the interconnected nature of today’s digital landscape, where cyber incidents can have far-reaching consequences across borders and industries.
Technical and Practical Analysis
Locked Shields 2026 featured real-time, live-fire cyberattack simulations targeting a diverse array of IT and OT systems, including critical infrastructure, air defence, and e-voting platforms. Participants were required to defend simulated national environments comprising interconnected networks, SCADA/ICS systems, and cloud platforms. The scenarios demanded rapid detection, response, and recovery from sophisticated attacks, while simultaneously managing legal and strategic communication components.
A defining aspect of the exercise was its focus on protecting emerging technologies such as 5G communication networks and satellite-based military command and control platforms. Teams had to implement and test advanced security controls, including network segmentation, intrusion detection, and incident response protocols, all while ensuring compliance with national and international cybersecurity regulations. The integration of legal frameworks and public communication strategies added a layer of realism, mirroring the multifaceted challenges organizations face during actual cyber crises.
Key Innovations and Differentiators
Locked Shields 2026 distinguished itself through its unprecedented scale and realism. The exercise brought together experts from military, government, academia, and the private sector, fostering collaboration and interoperability across diverse domains. Scenarios were designed to test not only technical defences but also the ability to coordinate incident response across multiple organizations and jurisdictions.
The emphasis on critical infrastructure protection, particularly in the context of emerging technologies like 5G and satellite systems, set Locked Shields apart from other cyber exercises. The event also highlighted the importance of rapid information sharing, continuous training, and the alignment of security policies and procedures across organizations. By simulating attacks on supply chain components and third-party service providers, Locked Shields underscored the need for robust vendor security practices and comprehensive third-party risk management.
Security Implications and Potential Risks
The exercise illuminated the growing complexity of cyber threats facing national and international critical infrastructure. By simulating advanced persistent threats and large-scale attacks, Locked Shields exposed potential vulnerabilities in IT/OT systems, supply chains, and interagency coordination. The integration of legal and communication challenges reflected real-world risks such as misinformation, regulatory non-compliance, and erosion of public trust during cyber incidents.
Participants were required to assess vendor security practices, ensure supply chain transparency, and coordinate incident response across organizational and national boundaries. The exercise reinforced the necessity of regular security assessments, transparent incident reporting, and adherence to international cybersecurity standards.
Industry Adoption and Integration Challenges
Locked Shields 2026 demonstrated the challenges inherent in integrating diverse technologies, processes, and teams into a unified cyber defence posture. Achieving interoperability between legacy and modern systems, aligning security policies, and ensuring continuous training emerged as critical hurdles. The exercise also highlighted the importance of maintaining operational readiness in the face of evolving threats and the need for adaptive, resilient security strategies.
Cyber Perspective
From a cyber perspective, Locked Shields 2026 serves as both a proving ground for defenders and a cautionary tale for organizations worldwide. For defenders, the exercise provided invaluable experience in responding to sophisticated, multi-vector attacks on critical infrastructure, emphasizing the need for cross-sector collaboration, rapid information sharing, and continuous improvement of security controls. The scenarios revealed potential weaknesses in supply chains, interagency coordination, and crisis communication that could be exploited by attackers in real-world situations.
The increasing use of AI, cloud technologies, and other emerging tools in both attack and defence scenarios underscored the dynamic nature of the cyber threat landscape. Locked Shields drives demand for advanced security solutions, managed detection and response services, and third-party risk management platforms, influencing the broader cybersecurity market and shaping future defence strategies.
About Rescana
Rescana is committed to empowering organizations with advanced Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) solutions. Our platform enables continuous monitoring, automated risk assessments, and actionable insights to help you identify, assess, and mitigate risks across your entire supply chain. Whether preparing for large-scale exercises like Locked Shields or facing real-world cyber threats, Rescana provides the tools and intelligence needed to strengthen your cyber resilience, evaluate vendor security practices, ensure compliance, and respond rapidly to emerging challenges.
We are happy to answer any questions at ops@rescana.com.
