NATO Conducts Locked Shields 2018: World’s Largest International Live-fire Cyber Defense Exercise to train security experts in Cyberwarfare

The urgency behind NATO’s deepening interest in cyber defense is driven by the increasing sophistication of cyberthreats against member states, according to Brig. Gen. Christos Athanasiadis, assistant chief of staff cyber at SHAPE. NATO reported earlier this year that its infrastructure came under threat from 500 cyberattacks monthly in 2016.The United States and other NATO states have become increasingly vocal about cyber-attacks launched from Russia, China and Iran, but officials say it remains hard to determine if such attacks stem from government bodies or private groups.  In recent events, cyber-attacks have been part of hybrid warfare.