Canada bolsters cyber defences as key participant in Exercise LOCKED SHIELDS 2025
May 16, 2025 - Defence Stories
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Lieutenant-Colonel Ben Lacey of CAF Cyber Command speaks at the opening of Exercise LOCKED SHIELDS 25 in Seoul, South Korea, May 6, 2025.
By: Major Christopher Daniel
The Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command (CAFCYBERCOM) successfully participated in Exercise LOCKED SHIELDS 2025—the world’s largest and most complex live-fire cyber defence exercise. A key component of this annual NATO event is the Strategic Decision-Making Exercise (STRATEX), which tests the ability of Allied and partner nations to respond to evolving cyber threats at the strategic and operational levels.
Held from May 5 to 9, 2025, Exercise LOCKED SHIELDS 2025 brought together approximately 4,000 participants from 41 nations. Organized by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE), the exercise focused on real-time decision-making and coordination in the face of simulated cyber incidents.
A key focus for Canada was its engagement in Seoul, Republic of Korea, where 11 Canadian experts from CAFCYBERCOM, Department of National Defence, Global Affairs Canada, Public Safety Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police worked closely with the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC), the Republic of Korea Armed Forces’ Cyber Operations Command, and other global partners. More than 200 South Korean military and civilian cyber personnel trained alongside Canadian experts, reinforcing international collaboration in cyber defence.
“Cyber threats don’t respect borders,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Ben Lacey, Canadian contingent team lead and a member of CAFCYBERCOM. “By working closely with our South Korean counterparts, we are not only reinforcing our own cyber defences but also strengthening our collective ability to respond to crises. The digital battlefield requires teamwork, and Exercise LOCKED SHIELDS is all about building those partnerships.”
Canada’s participation in Exercise LOCKED SHIELDS 2025 reflects its strong commitment to both national and global cyber defence. The Canadian delegation included specialists from CAFCYBERCOM, the Canadian Armed Forces Office of the Judge Advocate General, the Department of National Defence’s Office of the Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy), Global Affairs Canada, Public Safety Canada, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. This whole-of-government approach enabled a coordinated and comprehensive response to simulated cyber threats.
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Ms. Sojeong Kim, Director of Emerging Security Studies at the Institute for National Security of the Republic of Korea, engages in an insightful discussion on cyber policy with cyber experts from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police during Exercise LOCKED SHIELDS 25 in Seoul, South Korea, on May 8, 2025.
The exercise challenged participants with complex, real-world-inspired scenarios designed to refine strategic decision-making processes and improve response mechanisms under pressure. Canadian experts concentrated on critical areas such as strategic communications, legal frameworks, and crisis response strategies essential to effective cyber operations.
“As threats evolve, so must our ability to counter them,” added LCol Lacey. “This exercise provides a critical opportunity to identify vulnerabilities, refine our response strategies, and ensure Canada is prepared for the cyber challenges ahead.”
Established in September 2024, CAFCYBERCOM plays a vital role in Canada’s cyber operations, integrating offensive and defensive capabilities to safeguard national security. In partnership with organizations such as the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), CAFCYBERCOM is enhancing Canada’s cyber intelligence and operational effectiveness on the global stage.
“Our presence at Exercise LOCKED SHIELDS demonstrates our unwavering commitment to safeguarding cyberspace and working with allies and global partners to ensure a secure digital future. As cyber threats continue to grow in complexity, Canada’s collaboration in Seoul underscores its proactive and leadership-oriented approach to cybersecurity—ensuring the nation remains a key contributor to international cyber defence efforts,” concluded LCol Lacey.