BRUNSSUM, The Netherlands – Cyber Coalition 2024, one of the world’s largest collective cyber defence exercises, has been completed. Running 02-06 December, the event was held in Tallinn, Estonia, and involves 28 NATO Allies, six partner nations, and civilian organizations from several countries.
It aims to enhance our capabilities and build resilience against emerging cyber threats, ensuring NATO remains ready to face the challenges of the digital era
This annual exercise, designed by NATO’s Allied Command Transformation, was a cornerstone of efforts to enhance NATO, its Allies, and partners' ability to safeguard their networks and operate cohesively in cyberspace. Since its inception in 2008, Cyber Coalition has provided a vital platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the exchange of best practices. Through this exercise, participants -including NATO, national governments, and other organizations - worked together to improve collective cyber resilience and readiness.
Brigadier General Bruno Helluy, Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS) Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, emphasized the exercise's multidimensional nature, “Multi-Domain Operations integrate land, air, maritime, space, and cyber domains to enhance defence coordination. The cyber domain interlinks with all others, fostering military-civilian collaboration, employing advanced technologies and strategies to counter threats and protect critical networks, ensuring the resilience of systems across the Alliance.”
At its core, the exercise simulated real-world cyberattacks, tested responses, and promoted deeper collaboration in addressing digital threats. For 2024, the focus was on advanced threat scenarios, such as ransomware attacks, state-sponsored cyber intrusions, and breaches of critical infrastructure. A strong team from JFCBS was actively participating, bringing their expertise to this cutting-edge training environment.
Colonel Piotr Adamski, JFCBS Assistant Chief of Staff for Cyber, who led the JFCBS team in Tallinn, highlighted the strategic importance of cyberspace in modern defence, “Cyberspace has become a key element of current military strategy, especially within NATO and other modern armed forces. Cyberspace operations are increasingly integrated into national defence strategies, alongside traditional domains of land, maritime, air, and space.”
This year’s Cyber Coalition has attracted around 1,000 participants from NATO Allies worldwide, along with several partners and representatives from the European Union. The exercise was a pivotal opportunity to bolster NATO’s coordination in cyberspace at the strategic command level, bridging efforts between Allied Command Transformation and Allied Command Operations.
Colonel Adamski also underscored the significance of staying prepared in the evolving digital landscape, “We must be prepared to combat and counter nations who wish to undermine the alliance by conducting malicious activities in and through cyberspace. The Cyber Coalition exercise serves this purpose. It aims to enhance our capabilities and build resilience against emerging cyber threats, ensuring NATO remains ready to face the challenges of the digital era.”
The event was conducted through Estonia’s Cyber Security Exercises and Training Centre, a state-of-the-art cyber range. While training audiences and local trainers connected virtually from their respective locations, a dedicated exercise control team operated from Estonia to coordinate and execute the exercise.
As Cyber Coalition 2024 continues, it stands as a testament to NATO’s commitment to securing the digital frontlines and fostering unity among Allies and partners in the ever-evolving cyber domain.