Don’t mistake this for a simple tech upgrade; this is NATO reimagining its entire digital backbone to thrive in a hyper-connected, cloud-powered operational environment.
Breaking Barriers, Building Resilience
Allied Command Transformation inaugurated a significant step towards leveraging the power of data, artificial intelligence (AI), and emerging technologies to maintain its edge. This is essential to create a Multi-Domain Operations enabled Alliance – a 2030 ambition that relies heavily on data analysis and real-time information sharing across different domains. Multi-Domain Operations involves the synchronized orchestration of military activities across all domains – land, air, sea, space, and cyberspace – to create converging effects at the speed of relevance. As such, this operational transition is a strategic imperative that delivers the ability of the Alliance to shape, contest and fight in a rapidly evolving operational environment.
We are doing all of this to become Multi-Domain Operations capable. To be able to continue to prevail over our competitors and create those dilemmas at the right pace, across the full spectrum.
– Admiral Pierre Vandier
NATO is building towards:
- Zero-Trust Security: Every connection and action within the cloud environment is verified, reducing vulnerabilities and ensuring robust defence.
- Data-Centric Approach: NATO’s shift to a zero-trust security model prioritizes the protection of sensitive data and operations.
- The NATO Cloud spans from NATO UNCLASSIFIED to NATO SECRET, enabling flexibility as NATO grows and adapts.
- Improved Decision-Making: The cloud’s speed and scalability allow NATO to make quicker, more informed decisions in real-time.
Leading the Future
Harnessing the power of the cloud at Allied Command demonstrates a strong commitment from the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) towards delivering change. The agency accepted risks to deliver incremental progress, launching at 80% usability and building further through a user-centric approach. Indeed, another U.S.-based NATO Command, Joint Force Command Norfolk, has also now migrated to the cloud. As the Cloud expands and evolves to secure networks so too will NATO’s digital capabilities. This transformation is about more than just technology. It’s about a mindset – one that embraces continuous learning, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of innovation to push the boundaries of what’s possible, ensuring that the Alliance remains secure, agile, and future-ready.