Locked Shields 25: Swiss delegation to take part in international cyber defence exercise
Bern, 28.04.2025 — From 28 April to 9 May, the Swiss Armed Forces will take part in the world’s largest cyber defence exercise, Locked Shields 25. Around 40 participants from the Swiss Armed Forces, the Federal Administration, the cantons and operators of critical infrastructure will be taking part. As part of the exercise, the teams will defend fictitious IT infrastructures against cyberattacks by a fictitious adversary.
A delegation of around 40 people will represent Switzerland at the international cyber defence exercise Locked Shields 25, which is organised annually by the Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre (CCDCOE) in Estonia. The delegation will be made up of conscripts of the Swiss Armed Forces, employees of the Federal Administration and the cantons, and operators of critical infrastructure.
Conscript soldiers play a key role
This year, the conscript soldiers of the Cyber Command will play an important role in the exercise. They will make up the majority of the delegation and bring with them a wealth of military and civilian expertise. Conscript formations represented will include Cyber Battalion 42 and Specialist Staff Cyber.
More than 3,500 participants from over 35 nations around the world will be taking part in the exercise in which multinational teams can be formed.
Switzerland will be forming a team with Spain and Brazil. Civilian partners will also be taking part in the exercise: the Swiss delegation will be strengthened by the cantonal police forces of Zurich and Aargau, and specialists from the armasuisse Cyber Defence Campus.
Chief of Cyber Command to visit exercise
On 8 May, Chief of Cyber Command Major General Simon Müller will visit the LOCKED SHIELDS exercise in Madrid. During his visit, Major General Simon Müller will meet Vice Admiral Francisco Roca Rivero, Chief of the Mando Conjunto del Ciberespacio (MCCE), the cyber command of the Spanish Armed Forces. The exchange serves to deepen bilateral relations between Switzerland and Spain in the field of training and to promote dialogue on future challenges in the cyber domain.
Participation strengthens defence capabilities
Since 2010, Switzerland has been regularly taking part in Locked Shields exercises. The Swiss Armed Forces benefit from the expertise and standards of other armed forces. This strengthens Switzerland’s defence capabilities.