NATO cyber defense exercise in Bucharest: 8,000 simulated attacks

Bucharest hosted the international cyber defense exercise Locked Shields 2026 from April 13-24, organized by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE). Approximately 4,000 participants from over 40 countries acted as a multinational rapid reaction force, tasked with protecting a simulated national infrastructure against 8,000 cyber attacks in real time.

The elaborate scenarios tested the technical and operational capabilities of the teams, including incident management and legal challenges. Romania participated alongside experts from Ukraine and Moldova, strengthening regional cooperation in the field of cyber security.

The exercise included the protection of critical infrastructures, such as 5G networks and energy systems, under operational pressure. Romania's participation reaffirms the commitment to developing national cyber defense capabilities and enhancing international collaboration.