When the world’s largest live-fire cyber defense exercise began simulating attacks on power grids, communications systems and national infrastructure, WVU students were already at their keyboards, not as observers, but as part of the international team defending a nation in crisis.
Representing the interdisciplinary WVU Cyber initiative, 10 students took part in the Locked Shields exercise from April 18-24.
Run annually by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, the exercise brought together thousands of participants from universities, government and industry to respond to a simulated national cyber crisis.
For students, Locked Shields was more than a technical exercise. It was a chance to apply what they have learned in the classroom alongside military, government and industry professionals while defending critical systems under pressure.
“Locked Shields was a great example of how efficient a level-headed team can be,” Ross Weed, a political science major in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, said. “The pressure is invisible when everyone is focused on bringing their own skillset to the table.”
Bill Walker, executive director of WVU Cyber and the University’s head of national security and cyberspace programs, said this kind of cross-functional work is essential in cyber.
“It brings together students from across disciplines because that is how cyber works in practice. They are building technical skills, learning how to make decisions under pressure and working alongside experienced professionals who show them how this work is done at the highest level,” he said.
Held as part of the U.S. Blue Team effort, the exercise challenged participants to defend mock national systems from thousands of coordinated cyberattacks targeting telecommunications, energy systems, satellite operations and other critical infrastructure. Teams were also evaluated on how they navigated strategic communications, policy decisions, cyber law and crisis response in real time.
The students represented the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources and the Eberly College, reflecting the cross-disciplinary approach at the center of WVU Cyber.
For Koh Onishi, a computer engineering student in the Statler College, the extensiveness, complexity and coordination of the exercise stood out.
“The scale of Locked Shields made this different from any other class or competition I have experienced,” Onishi said. “There were so many systems, servers and people involved that staying coordinated and communicating was just as important as the technical work.”
Onishi’s performance earned special recognition. In front of the United States team, Brig. Gen. Pat Chard and Bill Walker presented Onishi with a special coin, recognizing his contributions during the weeklong exercise.
For years, West Virginia has served as a hub for U.S. participation in Locked Shields, and WVU students have become a key part of that effort.
“Experiences like Locked Shields prove what is possible when students are given the opportunity to operate in real-world environments,” Walker said. “They are not just learning about cyber, they are doing operational work. They are solving hard problems, contributing to national security and showing exactly what WVU Cyber students can do on an international stage.”