Ireland has participated in the world’s most extensive live cyber defence simulation, known as ‘Locked Shields.’ This high-global cybersecurity drill wargame involves countering a simulated large-scale cyberattack on a fictional nation, challenging participants to protect vital digital and physical infrastructure under pressure.
Organised annually by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) in Tallinn, Estonia, the exercise brought together cyber experts from across the globe. This year, Ireland was part of a combined team alongside the United States, Bulgaria, and Greece. Nearly 220 individuals from government, defence, academia, and the private sector formed the multinational task force, working together over the course of a week to respond to complex, real-time threats.
National Collaboration and Real-Time Response
Ireland’s participation was global cybersecurity drill spearheaded by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), supported by the Irish Defence Forces, academic institutions, and private tech firms. The exercise was designed not just to test technical proficiency, but to simulate the multi-dimensional challenges of a real-world cyber crisis. Teams were tasked with securing complex IT and cyber-physical systems while also addressing legal, media, forensic, and information warfare scenarios.
Richard Browne, Director of the NCSC, emphasised the significance of the exercise, noting that Locked Shields provides an essential opportunity to benchmark Ireland’s cyber capabilities. “To be able to defend the infrastructure, services and data that people in this country rely on, we need to be certain that we remain competitive in this environment, and to continually test ourselves against the best in the world,” he said.
Enhancing National and International Cyber Readiness
Brigadier General Brian Cleary, Commander of the Joint Cyber Defence Command, highlighted the strategic value of the exercise in building Ireland’s cyber resilience. He described the 2025 event as a key moment in strengthening national cyber defence, made possible through inter-agency collaboration. “Working side by side in one of the world’s most advanced cyber defence exercises, we are enhancing our joint readiness, deepening inter-agency cooperation and underscoring our commitment to collective security and the protection of critical national infrastructure,” he stated.
Locked Shields is widely regarded as the most advanced cyber defence simulation globally, offering an unparalleled environment for testing decision-making, cooperation, and technological response under pressure. Ireland’s growing involvement in global cybersecurity drill such exercises reflects a national effort to bolster cyber readiness amid rising threats to digital infrastructure worldwide.
With cyberattacks becoming more frequent and sophisticated, participation in Locked Shields serves not only as a training opportunity but also as a public demonstration of Ireland’s commitment to international cybersecurity cooperation and national preparedness.
