ESET experts participated in Locked Shields 2024, the world’s largest and most complex cyber defense exercise. 40 countries participated in the annual exercise conducted by NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence (NATO CCD COE). ESET contributed to a number of tactical teams with more than 50 experts.
In the 14th annual exercise, where collaboration was the focus, ESET led the Slovak-Hungarian team, specifically the team’s top three teams in cyber threat intelligence, client-side protection, forensics and strategic communications. It provided defensive capabilities that contributed to his victory. It ranked 4th in the overall ranking among 18 participating teams consisting of similar inter-country units. The Slovak-Hungarian team successfully pursued its strategic goals. The exercise utilized expertise and the latest security technologies, as well as a massive operation designed to defend the vital infrastructure of the fictional country of Berylia, paralyze the country and create public unrest. It was built on communication and intense cooperation between participants working together against cyber attacks.
ESET CTO Juraj Malcho said: “Locked Shields 2024 supports the concept that cooperation is one of NATO’s greatest strengths; “All member countries are increasing the level of protection for their citizens, businesses and critical infrastructure,” he said. “ESET joined the Slovak Ministry of Defense in this live-fire exercise by providing our XDR cybersecurity platform, ESET PROTECT, as well as cybersecurity, forensics, threat intelligence, legal and strategic communications experts.” He is proud to support ±ÄŸÄ±. Together, we are stronger against any powerful enemy who wants to cause disruption.”
The Slovak team was led by the Cyber Defense Center of the Slovak Military Intelligence. During the exercise, the Slovak government was represented by experts from the ministries of defence, finance, internal affairs, transport and foreign affairs. ESET’s experts and technologies contributed to the rapid detection and response to cyber attacks. Experts from the Slovak Branch of Palo Alto Networks and Orange Slovensko also helped both secure and manage the infrastructure. Talented students and professors from the Slovak University of Technology and Comenius University in Bratislava, General Milan Rastislav Å tefnik Armed Forces Academy and young Slovak talents studying at foreign universities also supported the national team.
