Executive Summary
The Swiss Army participates in the world's largest cyber defense exercise «LOCKED SHIELDS» from April 20–24, 2026. Together with Germany, Austria, and Luxembourg, it forms a multinational team with approximately 50 participants from the military, administration, cantons, research, and critical infrastructure. Teams defend fictional IT systems in real time against simulated cyberattacks while managing technical, legal, strategic, and communicative challenges. NATO organizes this annual exercise to strengthen international cyber defense capabilities. Switzerland has participated regularly since 2010.
People
- Simon Müller (Divisional General, Commander Cyber Command)
Topics
- Cyber Defense
- International Security Exercises
- Military Cooperation
- Critical Infrastructure
Clarus Lead
Switzerland's participation in «LOCKED SHIELDS» underscores the growing importance of cybersecurity as a defense priority in the context of increasing digital threats. The multinational coordinated training scenario enables Switzerland to strengthen its interoperability with European partners and to practice realistic attack patterns – central to the security of critical infrastructure domestically. The visit of Divisional General Simon Müller to the cyber commanders signals an intensification of institutionalized cooperation beyond technical exercises.
Detailed Summary
«LOCKED SHIELDS» is a live cyber defense exercise in which teams must defend fictional IT infrastructure in real time against complex attacks simulated by security specialists. The scenario goes beyond purely technical aspects and integrates legal questions as well as strategic and communicative decision-making – a requirement that corresponds to real-world cyber incidents.
The Swiss team will function as a so-called «Blue Team,» a group of security specialists who actively monitor and protect systems. Through partnership with Germany, Austria, and Luxembourg, a multilateral structure is created that enables pooling of expertise and improved interoperability. This approach serves not only immediate training efficiency but also the development of common solution approaches for complex threat scenarios in the digital space.
Since 2010, Switzerland has used «LOCKED SHIELDS» as a platform for international experience exchange. Continuous participation contributes to strengthening its own defense capabilities and anchors Switzerland in the network of international cyber defense capacities.
Key Statements
- The Swiss Army trains from April 20–24, 2026 at the world's largest cyber defense exercise with multinational partners
- 50 specialists from the military, administration, and critical infrastructure simulate real-time cyber defense
- Exercise integrates technical, legal, and strategic dimensions of realistic cyber threats
- Multilateral cooperation strengthens interoperability and common solution approaches
Critical Questions
Evidence/Data Quality: What metrics or evaluation criteria are used to measure the success or learning effect of the exercise? The text names objectives but no ex-post validation mechanisms.
Evidence/Source Validity: To what extent do the simulated attack patterns in «LOCKED SHIELDS» correspond to actual threat scenarios to which Switzerland is exposed? Is scenario development based on threat intelligence?
Conflicts of Interest/Independence: NATO organizes the exercise – to what extent do NATO priorities influence scenario design and Swiss training orientation, particularly given Swiss neutrality?
Causality/Alternatives: Is improved interoperability through «LOCKED SHIELDS» measured, or is this an assumption? Are there alternative training formats that would be more efficient?
Feasibility/Risks: How are findings from the exercise translated into operational cyber defense capabilities and processes domestically? What implementation risks exist?
Feasibility: The exercise includes cantons and private critical infrastructure operators – how is their participation coordinated and their operational readiness ensured after the exercise?
Source Directory
Primary Source: Swiss Army Trains at International Cyber Exercise «LOCKED SHIELDS» 2026 – news.admin.ch, 13.04.2026
Verification Status: ✓ 13.04.2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 13.04.2026