Cyber Fortress - Luxembourg's largest cyber training: defending against attacks, fighting fakes and testing new technologies
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Luxembourg hosted Cyber Fortress, the largest national cyber defence exercise involving experts from Luxembourg, Belgium, Latvia, Malta and European Union Cyber Rapid Response Teams (CRRTs). The goal is to prepare cyber defence teams to respond to real-time attacks by testing the protection of critical IT systems.
Since its launch in 2021, the exercise has expanded significantly. Originally focused only on technical aspects, it now includes an elaborate cyber conflict scenario with media elements, making training as close to real-world conditions as possible.
In 2025, for the first time, the exercise took place in two countries at once - Luxembourg and Latvia. Around 100 participants worked at the Latvian site, coordinating with their Luxembourg counterparts in a single system. Key participants included the Directorate of Defence, the Luxembourg Army, the Police Directorate and the Luxembourg House of Cybersecurity, as well as experts from private companies and research institutes.
The Luxembourg Cyber Range platform was used to provide the training, allowing cyber attacks to be simulated under near-combat conditions.
As part of the exercise, teams had to respond to different types of attacks, assessing their consequences and developing defence measures in a coordinated manner. An important task was to test the interaction of different national structures in a crisis situation.
This year, special emphasis was placed on cyberattacks on unmanned systems. Participants practised defending the IT infrastructure that provides drone control, simulating scenarios of hacking and interception.
For the first time, strategic communication and media engagement were also integrated into the exercise. The scenario included deepfake, fake news and disinformation, which allowed participants to practically learn how to counter hybrid threats.
Luxembourg continues to strengthen its position as one of Europe's cyber security centres. The exercise helps participating countries improve data sharing, integrate digital defences and develop common standards for responding to cyberattacks.
With the growing threat from cyber criminals and potential state-sponsored attacks, such training becomes key for defence and strategically important organisations.
