Swiss Armed Forces to take part in world's largest cyber exercise

Defence

Bern, 19.04.2024 - In April, the Swiss Armed Forces Cyber Command is taking part in 'Locked Shields 2024', the world's largest cyber defence exercise, along with national and international partners. The exercise will provide practice in warding off cyber attacks on a country's critical infrastructure, by training on the virtual infrastructure of a fictitious country. The exercise is largely conducted in a decentralised manner on a virtual training platform.

A Swiss delegation of around 70 people, including conscript and professional soldiers from the Armed Forces, Federal Administration employees and operators of critical infrastructure, will take part in the international cyber defence exercise 'Locked Shields 2024' from 23 to 25 April. During the exercise, one side will conduct real-time attacks on simulated computer networks and critical infrastructures of the other side. The teams must recognise and ward off these attacks.

As only multinational teams are permitted to take part in the exercise, the Swiss Armed Forces Cyber Command is forming a joint team with other federal offices, members of the Austrian Armed Forces, the National Guard from two US states and representatives of Switzerland's critical infrastructure. A total of 4000 experts from 40 nations are taking part. Switzerland has regularly taken part in this exercise since 2010.

This 'live fire exercise' in cyberspace is a challenge for all participants. The teams have to respond to and ward off real cyber attacks in real time. An evaluation will be made not only of the technical aspects of cyber defence, but also of information and reporting systems, decision-making, assessment of legal issues and communication work.

Multinational training strengthens defence capabilities

International cooperation helps the Swiss Armed Forces to strengthen their defence capabilities. The Swiss Armed Forces benefit from experiencing the expertise and standards of other armed forces. Cooperation is based on established formats and tried and tested general conditions, which can be developed and fine-tuned on a case-by-case basis.

Address for enquiries

Stefan Hofer
Armed Forces Spokesperson
+41 58 463 37 41

Publisher

Defence
http://www.vtg.admin.ch

General Secretariat DDPS
https://www.vbs.admin.ch/

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.