Croatia Joins NATO's Locked Shields Cyber Defense Exercise

Croatia participated in NATO's Locked Shields exercise for the first time from April 13 to 24, 2026. The exercise involved around 4,000 participants from 42 countries, simulating real-time cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. Croatia's team, consisting of 135 members, collaborated with North Macedonia as Blue Team 15. The exercise focused on defending against coordinated cyber-attacks targeting systems such as power grids and military communications. Participants faced challenges not only in technical defense but also in legal and strategic areas, reflecting modern hybrid warfare scenarios. The event concluded with a ceremony on April 24, attended by various military and government officials. The exercise aimed to enhance crisis management capabilities and inter-institutional coordination in cyber defense.

Key Points: • Croatia's Armed Forces Cyberspace Command participated in Locked Shields for the first time. • The exercise simulated real-time cyberattacks on critical infrastructure with 4,000 participants. • Focus included not only technical defense but also legal and strategic challenges.