Cyber conscripts and reservists demonstrated their competence in the Locked Shields 2024 exercise

A credible cyber defence capability requires international cooperation, skilled personnel and reservists, and constant exercising. The Locked Shields 2024 cyber defence exercise provided an opportunity to bring together top experts to exercise in an international environment.

The NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (NATO CCDCOE) organised the Locked Shields 2024 cyber defence exercise between 16 and 26 April 2024. The Defence Forces set up an exercise detachment consisting mainly of reservists to operate in the exercise from Finland. The exercise detachment was led by the Finnish Defence Forces C5 Agency. A wide variety of experts are needed in cyber defence troops. A competent and enthusiastic group of cyber conscripts and reservists therefore participated in the Locked Shields 2024 exercise. Read about what kind of experiences cyber conscript “Tuomas” and our reservist Corporal Iita Perttilä have gained in the exercise!

Reservist – Corporal Iita Perttilä

Corporal Iita Perttilä’s daily life focuses on cyber security. She is studying cyber security engineering at South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (XAMK) and works as a training coordinator at the National Defence Training Association of Finland, where her work tasks focus on the field of cyber security and management systems. She was a first-timer in the Locked Shields 2024 exercise and this year was able to participate through her work tasks. 

 “The game environment of Locked Shields 2024 and the game structure are unique. There are not many this extensive and comprehensive exercises. I couldn’t wait to be able to learn new things, as my role in the exercise was not in the field that I am the most familiar with,” Corporal Perttilä says.

Participants gain experience of international cooperation

Corporal Perttilä finds the experience of international cooperation the best thing about the Locked Shields 2024 exercise.
 “You can talk about things in NATO language here and network both at the national and at the international level. In the exercise, we work in cooperation with international partners even at the level of the teams. There may be differences in the operating methods, but we have made good compromises and found a good middle way that will help us achieve a winning outcome,” says Corporal Perttilä. 

The Defence Forces cooperates closely with the National Defence Training Association of Finland. Perttilä has been a committed volunteer in the association for a long time and, as part of her studies, ended up completing an internship at its headquarters. This opened up the opportunity for her current job. Perttilä hopes to see more training provided in cyber defence so that cyber competence in the whole society can be improved. 

Cyber conscript – Corporal “Tuomas”

Our cyber conscript introduces himself as Tuomas. It is just a nickname invented for this story as for security reasons, the identity of cyber conscripts is not public information. Tuomas says he became a cyber conscript through his hobbies and interests, but coincidence also played a part. 

Applying to the cyber conscript training was worthwhile, however. Tuomas finds it great that everyone’s competence is taken into account in the training so that they can make the most of their abilities. He is particularly keen on the opportunity to be able to contribute to what kind of duties he may have towards the end of his military service.
“I feel that I am most useful to the Defence Forces in this role and it enables me to challenge myself and do the best I can,” Tuomas says.

Locked Shields enables cyber conscripts to prove themselves

During the cyber conscript training, Tuomas has had an opportunity, for example, to examine the state of cyber security and the levels of data security and test different systems. He was able to do the same in Locked Shields 2024, which is part of his military service. He was excited about the fact that they were not involved in the exercise only by watching and observing it but participated in the operation of the exercise with the other troops. In the exercise, competent people were placed in duties that are suitable for them, according to the needs of the Defence Forces.

This year, Finland participated in Locked Shields together with Poland. The team’s common language was English so that everyone knew what was happening. Tuomas finds using English natural because most of the vocabulary in cyber security is in English, anyway.
“A joint team with Poland has provided new perspectives, for example, to solving problems. At the very least, cooperation has taught how matters can be approached from different directions,” Tuomas describes his experiences of international cooperation. 

At the moment, Tuomas focuses on completing his military service. However, he is certain that cyber security will be part of his future plans. He finds participation in Locked Shields 2024 a great advantage that will also benefit him in his civilian life in the future.