Improving cybersecurity capacity: Ukraine-Estonia Cyber Shield via Tallinn Mechanism

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The cyber live-fire exercise “UA-EE Cyber Shield” via Tallinn Mechanism is the largest cybersecurity event in Ukraine on 09-11 December 2024.

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Over three days, participants from state authorities and critical enterprises in a hybrid format will acquire practical skills in protecting critical infrastructure and critical information infrastructure from cyberattacks, including:

• Threat-hunting abilities, effective communication, and teamwork
• Hands-on expertise in securing IT and OT systems developed through live-action simulations of real-world cyberattack scenarios

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The exercises were held in competitions between a set of blue teams and a red team. The blue teams include representatives of state authorities and critical enterprises. The red team consists of CybExer representatives and several representatives from the main entities in Ukraine's cybersecurity field. White team representatives assessed the teams' activities, including e-Governance Academy and CybExer representatives.

The exercise generally engages 241 participants divided into 25 blue teams, nine on-site and 16 online.

The year 2024 was pivotal for Ukraine in the field of cybersecurity. Thanks to consistent efforts in strengthening cyber defences, the country successfully repelled numerous cyberattacks, demonstrating its readiness to face modern threats.

International cooperation plays a key role in enhancing cyber resilience. The organisation of the training is an example of effective cooperation between Estonia and Ukraine to protect critical infrastructure and ensure digital security.

The cyber live-fire exercise “UA-EE Cyber Shield” via Tallinn Mechanism is supported by ESTDEV and organised by the e-Governance Academy and Cybexer in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, CDTO Campus, National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre, Security Service of Ukraine and Estonian Embassy in Kyiv.