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EY Strategy and Consulting's Debut at NATO Cyber Defense Exercise

In a significant move towards bolstering cybersecurity capabilities, EY Strategy and Consulting, headed by President Satoshi Kondo, has made its inaugural appearance at the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) organized cyber defense exercise, known as "Locked Shields 2026". This exercise took place from April 20 to April 24, 2026, with participation from the Ministry of Defence and the Self-Defense Forces, as well as various governmental ministries, critical infrastructure operators, and private enterprises, all collaborating in a public-private partnership.

The Importance of Locked Shields

"Locked Shields" stands as the world's largest cyber defense exercise orchestrated by CCDCOE. It aims to prepare participants for complex and advanced cyber threats through hands-on training. Within this exercise, a simulated scenario was set where a fictitious nation faced large-scale cyber attacks targeting its IT systems and critical infrastructure. Participants were challenged not only to protect these information systems but also to showcase comprehensive decision-making, legal responses, and information dissemination capabilities.

Representing Japan, EYSC actively engaged in the exercise, joining hands with a diverse array of organizations from both the public and private sectors. Their objective was to deepen their expertise in responding to cyber incidents and to enhance their practical response capabilities. One key component of the exercise involved a Strategic Decision-Making Exercise (STRATEX), which provided valuable insights into decision-making processes amidst various stakeholders and highlighted the need for improved responses during cyber crises.

Insights from the Exercise

Muki Nishio, Strategic Impact Partner at EY, shared his insights on the exercise:
>The exercise proved to be invaluable in refining collective responses to the growing threat of cyber attacks. It's essential that nations unite in enhancing their response capabilities. This is especially true during initial responses to cyber incidents. A cohesive approach between public and private sectors will ensure we can act swiftly in emergencies. The rise of cyber attacks has transitioned them from mere economic threats to significant national security issues, making it imperative that every individual, particularly those at the CXO level, prioritizes this challenge.

EY's Commitment to Innovation and Security

EY, as an organization, is dedicated to creating remarkable value for clients, its members, society, and the planet while fostering trust in capital markets to build a better working world. By harnessing data, AI, and advanced technologies, EY teams guide clients towards confidently shaping the future and addressing pressing challenges. Their services span assurance, consulting, tax, strategy, and transaction sectors. Supported by extensive industry knowledge and a globally connected network of diverse ecosystem partners, EY delivers services in over 150 countries and regions.

EY's Consulting Services Overview

EY's consulting services aim to transform businesses through the power of people, technology, and innovation, striving for a better society. The organization aims to be a world leader in transformation consultancy. With a workforce of over 70,000 consultants, EY leverages diversity and skills to center their approach on people (humans@center), rapidly operationalize technology (technology@speed), and drive large-scale innovations (innovation@scale) that support client transformations. By pushing these transformations, EY creates long-term value for individuals, clients, and society. For more information on EY's consulting, visit ey.com/ja_jp/consulting.

Through its participation in Locked Shields, EY Strategy and Consulting not only deepens its expertise in managing cyber threats but also solidifies its commitment to collaboration across sectors, fostering a secure digital future for all.