NATO signs largest contract to date for cyber defense

NATO is upgrading its cyber defense capabilities

From NATO:  The NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A) celebrated with a ceremony on 8 March 2012 the award of a contract for upgrading the NATO cyber defence capabilities. The award to private industrial companies will enable the already operating NATO Computer Incident Response Capability (NCIRC) to achieve full operational capability by the end of 2012.

In addition to protecting the Alliance’s own networks, the capabilities to be acquired through the new contract will strengthen NATO’s ability to support member states in dealing with cyber attacks by using improved information-sharing and rapid reaction teams, whenever requested.

The project is a direct result of NATO nations’ commitment to improve capabilities to detect, defend and recover in case of a cyber attack against systems of critical importance to the Alliance. This award is an important step towards delivering these capabilities by the end of 2012,” said Assistant Secretary General Gabor Iklody, head of the lead body for NATO cyber defence at NATO Headquarters.

At approximately 58 million Euro in total, the award represents NATO’s largest investment to date in cyber defence. 

From Defense Professionals:  Once implemented, it will provide security on NATO’s networks and protect over 22,000 NATO military and civilians employees enhancing NATO’s cyber defence infrastructure and its ability to support member states. . . .

In addition to protecting its own networks, the contract will strengthen NATO’s ability to support Allies in case of cyber attacks, when requested, with improved information sharing and strengthened rapid reaction teams. . . .

“NATO’s priorities are our priorities,” said NC3A General Manager Georges D’hollander, “This capability is one of the 11 critial capabilities agreed at NATO’s Lisbon Summit; the contract was launched in September 2011 and awarded in February. For such a complex capability it has broken all NC3A acquisition speed records and I thank all the staff involved. We now need to ensure timely implementation. . . .”

The successful bidder is Finmeccanica through SELEX Elsag and VEGA (based in the United Kingdom) together with its partner Northrup Grumman Corporation team. . . .

The project scope includes the implementation of a robust infrastructure of improved cyber defence sensors and management tools, cyber defence decision support capabilities and mobile kits for Cyber Rapid Reaction Teams.  (photo: FrumForum)

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