Sweden Secures Third Place in NATO's Locked Shields 2026 Cybersecurity Exercise

Sweden recently participated in Locked Shields 2026, the world's largest and most complex NATO-sponsored cybersecurity exercise, held annually by the Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE). This year’s exercise, focused on defending critical infrastructure, saw Sweden partnering with France, with team members stationed at the Swedish Signal Regiment in Enköping and the French Cyber Command in Renne.

The Swedish contingent was led by the Fourth Cyber Defence Unit (4.CFF) and included personnel from the Swedish Armed Forces, government agencies, and notably, about 85% from the private sector. The exercise challenged teams to defend a fictional nation from intense simulated cyberattacks within a realistic virtual environment, while also addressing legal and strategic decision-making issues related to communication and law.

The Swedish-French team excelled, achieving third place overall, behind Latvia and Singapore who took first, and a team from Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, and Switzerland in second place. Colonel Tomas Wallin, commander of 4.CFF, emphasized the comprehensive nature of the exercise, highlighting not only the technical defense against cyber threats but also the strategic, legal, and communication challenges that were integral to the scenario.

Colonel Thomas Höglund, head of cyber defense operations, praised the cooperation between Sweden and France, noting that such joint exercises bolster cybersecurity capabilities across both civilian and military spheres. The Locked Shields exercise is instrumental in enhancing international cooperation, fostering innovation in cyber defense, and improving the readiness of participating nations to counter sophisticated cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure.

Sweden's strong performance reflects its growing cyber defense capabilities and the importance of collaboration between government, military, and private sector actors in safeguarding national security in the digital age.