NATO's Crossed Swords 2025 Kicks Off, Boosting Global Cyber Defence Skills
NATO's Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn, Estonia, launched the Crossed Swords 2025 exercise on 4 November. This year's event involves 240 participants from around 40 nations, both NATO members and partners, aiming to boost operational-level military command and tactical-level cyber specialist skills in managing offensive and defensive cyberspace capabilities.
The exercise, led by the Estonian Cyber Command and the NATO Cyber Operations Centre/NATO Cyber Security Centre, features two cyber headquarters representing fictional nations. Despite the fictional scenario, the exercise emphasises real-world challenges, such as military cooperation with public and private actors, reflecting the growing importance of cross-sector cooperation in protecting critical infrastructure across the EU and NATO.
Participants will train in both defensive and full-spectrum offensive cyber operations within a simulated crisis environment. The exercise promotes the development of multi-domain operational competencies, information operations, legal perspectives, and cooperation with Special Operations Forces.
The NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, a knowledge hub in Tallinn, Estonia, kicked off the Crossed Swords 2025 exercise to enhance NATO's and partner nations' cybersecurity capabilities. With 240 participants from around 40 nations, the exercise underscores the importance of international cooperation in the face of evolving cybersecurity threats.
