The NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) invites cybersecurity partner companies, research institutions, universities and industry consortia to apply to participate in the Locked Shields 2027 (LS27) Partners’ Run, taking place in March 2027.
Locked Shields is the world’s largest and most complex live-fire cyber defence exercise, aiming to strengthen cyber defence capabilities, promote public-private cooperation, and accelerate innovation through realistic large-scale cyber conflict simulation.
Locked Shields Partners’ Run serves as the main rehearsal for Locked Shields, offering partners an opportunity to train their specialists in the same demanding exercise environment as the national teams face in the main execution of the exercise, while helping to test and refine the main exercise. Participation lets teams validate procedures, strengthen cooperation, evaluate technologies, and gain experience defending complex digital infrastructures under pressure.
Who should apply?
Applications are welcome from organisations able to field a multidisciplinary cyber defence team. Relevant expertise may include:
- System and network administration
- Windows and Linux environments
- Cloud technologies and virtualization
- Incident detection and response
- Digital forensics and malware analysis
- Web application security and development
- Network defence and monitoring
- Industrial and special systems security
- Cyber operations and operational planning
- Legal aspects of cyber operations
- Strategic communications and public affairs
- Strategic-level cyber policy and decision support
Team composition
Applicants are encouraged to include technical defenders and infrastructure specialists, as well as staff with expertise in operations, law, strategic communications, policy and strategic advice.
Key dates
- Applications close: 18 November 2026
- Selection and notification: 19–27 November 2026
- Participant webinars: 2–4 March 2027
- Exercise environment familiarisation: 15–16 March 2027
- Partners Run: 17–18 March 2027
- Hot-wash session: 19 March 2027
Why participate?
The Partners Run gives organisations an opportunity to:
- Test their people, processes and technology in a realistic environment
- Practise defending complex infrastructure and services
- Improve cooperation between different stakeholders
- Connect with international cyber defence professionals
- Contribute to the development of future cyber defence capabilities and resilience initiatives
How to apply
Interested organisations are invited to submit their application before the registration deadline using the online application form.
For further information, please contact [email protected].
The number of places is limited. Submitting an application does not guarantee participation. The CCDCOE will review applications and notify selected teams by 27 November 2026.