Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1536441
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 15 JUNE 2025 6 COMMERCIAL Malta's first participation in Locked Shields 2025 THE Ministry for Home Affairs, Secu- rity and Employment (MHSE), in close collaboration with the Malta Informa- tion Technology Agency (MITA) and the National Cybersecurity Steering Committee (NCSC), has coordinated the participation in Locked Shields, the world's largest and most complex inter- national live-fire cyber defence exercise. Organised annually by the Cooper- ative Cyber Defence Centre of Excel- lence (CCDCOE) in Tallinn, Estonia, Locked Shields simulates large-scale cyber-attacks targeting critical national infrastructure. The exercise brings to- gether cyber defence professionals from around the world to test their capabil- ities in real-time scenarios involving systems such as power grids, military networks, financial services, and other essential sectors. Malta's interest in participating in Locked Shields reflects its commitment to enhancing national cyber resilience, improving interministerial collabora- tion, strengthening international rela- tions and cybersecurity initiatives. In line with the exercise's collaborative nature, Malta accepted an invitation from Slovakia to join forces during the 15th edition of Locked Shields. The Slo- vakia–Malta team was one of 17 teams from 41 nations that took part in the simulated cyber-attacks. Team Malta composed of 16 members drawn from a range of ministries and entities, including MITA, MHSE, the Armed Forces of Malta, the Malta Po- lice Force, the Malta Critical Infrastruc- ture Protection, the Financial Intelli- gence Analysis Unit, the Malta Gaming Authority, the Malta Financial Services Authority, and Bank of Valletta. The team worked collectively to de- velop skills aligned with the exercise's demanding technical and strategic scenarios, incorporating tactical deci- sion-making, legal considerations, and crisis communication. The Maltese par- ticipants emphasised the importance of collaboration and real-time simulations. Kirsty Borg from MITA stated that "it was a fast-moving, high-stakes exercise that demanded focus, adaptability, and clear communication. It was an inval- uable opportunity to collaborate with skilled professionals across disciplines and nations." Georgi Petrov from MGA referred to Locked Shields 2025 as "one of the most complex and technically challenging experiences of my career. The collabo- ration within the Slovakia–Malta team, the knowledge we shared, and the les- sons we learned from each other are something I will always deeply appreci- ate." Robert Muscat from MITA, who was the Team Lead for Malta, recognised that "Locked Shields 2025 was a true test of our collective resilience, quick thinking, and openness to learning from one another. Leading such a dedicated group of professionals, who consistently went above and beyond, was an absolute privilege." The Slovakia–Malta team achieved a respectable 5th place overall, finishing just behind the top three. Malta's first appearance in Locked Shields 2025 marks a significant mile- stone in its ongoing commitment to strengthening national cyber defence capabilities. The strong performance and collaborative effort underline the country's growing maturity in cyberse- curity and its preparedness to the evolv- ing digital cyber threats. This article was written by Caroline Schembri Cardona - Ministry for Home Affairs, Security and Employment and Roderick Lia – Malta Information Technology Agency