The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) has signed a contract with Accenture for the development of the Protected Business Network (PBN), a new cloud-based digital infrastructure for the Alliance. According to NATO, the platform will form the foundation for classified digital operations within NATO.
According to NATO, the contract was signed in connection with the defence industry forum held during the NATO Summit in Ankara. The PBN will provide NATO with a shared cloud architecture for classified communications and information management.
"Today's contract represents a significant step in NATO's continued digital transformation. Our new robust and interoperable transatlantic cloud architecture will enable allies to make decisions and conduct operations together more quickly and securely than before," said Jean-Charles Ellermann-Kingombe, Assistant Secretary General for Cyber and Digital Transformation, in a press release from the Alliance.
In a press release from Accenture, the contract is stated to run for seven years with an estimated value of approximately 200 million euros. Accenture will work together with Leonardo to develop, implement, and operate the central PBN platform in a multicloud environment provided by NCIA. According to Accenture, the solution will be gradually rolled out to approximately 29,000 users across the Alliance.
"NATO's ambition to become a digitally enabled alliance is one of the most significant transformation programmes of our time. Together with Leonardo, we are contributing the cloud and cybersecurity capabilities needed to help NCIA build a digital backbone that is robust, interoperable, and ready for the future, while strengthening the Alliance's own operational capability," said Mauro Macchi, Chief Executive Officer of Accenture EMEA.
The company also highlights that the new platform will replace legacy digital solutions with a shared cloud-based operating model and standardised development methods. Accenture further states that Leonardo will be responsible for a so-called Zero Trust architecture and an AI-based platform for cyber defence within the project.