NATO selects Accenture and Leonardo for a €200 million secure cloud project.

      NATO seeks a reliable cloud solution amid challenges. Its technology agency has entered into a contract valued at approximately €200 million with Accenture and Italy's Leonardo to establish this cloud. Accenture announced the agreement on Tuesday, made during the NATO summit in Ankara.

      Referred to as the Protected Business Network, this program will provide the Alliance with a unified, classified cloud platform where commanders and staff can share information and coordinate efforts across all domains. The focus is on resilience, creating a system designed to remain operational even when under attack.

      Details of the deal

      Over a span of seven years, Accenture and Leonardo will design, build, and operate the central platform within a multi-cloud infrastructure supplied by NATO’s agency. This service will accommodate around 29,000 users across the Alliance and has been approved by the North Atlantic Council as a capability for the entire Alliance.

      The initiative aims to replace NATO's assortment of outdated systems with a standardized cloud model and engineering practices, allowing for quicker deployment of new digital services. Leonardo will introduce a Zero Trust security architecture along with its own AI-driven multi-agent platform for cyber defense.

      A European foundation

      The partnerships are as significant as the technology itself. The project will be managed by Accenture’s EMEA division and Leonardo, an Italian defense company, rather than a US contractor. This aligns with a broader European initiative to take control of its defense software and secure military cloud infrastructure, reducing dependence on American firms.

      The timing is noteworthy. Concerns regarding US dominance in advanced AI have loomed over the Ankara summit, while allies face pressure to eliminate unreliable equipment and reform their networks. Establishing a domestic cloud infrastructure is seen as part of the solution.

      Importance of the initiative

      Defense is increasingly being viewed as a software-related challenge. Factors such as speed, secure data, and interoperability are becoming as crucial to readiness as traditional hardware. NATO anticipates that a modern cloud will enhance its agility and ability to withstand assaults, with European oversight. Financial resources are also shifting towards European defense technology. The development begins now, with the real challenge arising when it faces an attempt to disrupt it.