Experts put to the test during NATO’s largest annual cyber defence exercise

The five-day training event will test the ability of Allies and partners to defend their networks from a series of complex security challenges. “As cyber threats evolve, so too must our cyber defences. Our technology can only be as effective as our people and processes," said Ambassador Sorin Ducaru, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges.

This is the third time that Estonia hosts the exercise. The aim is to drill procedures and rapid coordination between national experts in their ability to handle a series of scenarios that increase in complexity during the exercise. Using a controlled virtual environment all participants are presented with storylines which involve specific threats such as mobile malware and spyware or the hacking of specific networks.

Management of the exercise is coordinated by a small group of experts in Tartu, Estonia, but the exercise also involves experts participating from dozens of other locations. Representatives from seven partner nations are either participating or observing, including Austria, Ireland, Finland, and Sweden. Georgia, Japan and Jordan are taking part for the first time. Cyber defence staff from the European Union and representatives from academia and industry have also been invited as observers. “Cyber Coalition demonstrates NATO and Allies in action – together with our partner nations, the European Union, and industry – to enhance information sharing and collaboration and respond more effectively to rapidly evolving cyber threats," said Ambassador Ducaru. “None of us can be as strong as all of us acting together against these threats."