From: NATO

On 14 March, five founding nations formally launched the Multinational Cyber Defence Capability Development Project, which is supported by the NATO Communications and Information (NCI) Agency in the framework of NATO’s ‘Smart Defence’ initiative.

Under the project Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Romania will cooperate on the development of: improved means of sharing technical information; shared awareness of threats and attacks; and advanced cyber defence sensors.

“NATO Cyber Defence Policy depends on such collaborative projects, because the only solution against the increasing cyber threat is a collaborative one. This is a very exciting project and an excellent example of the NATO Smart Defence Initiative”, said Ambassador Iklody, Head of NATO’s Emerging Security Challenges Division.

The project opening ceremony was organised at the Agency’s headquarters in Brussels by the Agency and Canada, the lead nation for the project.  It was attended by high-level representatives from the founding nations as well as representatives of the Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment, Allied Command Transformation and Allied Command Operations.

“Cyber is the area where the defence is vastly more complex and costly than the offence. This project is a game changer through which we can help each other to help ourselves,” said VAdm Robert Davidson, Military Representative of Canada to NATO.

Multiple benefits

The project marks an important new step in the NCI Agency’s support to the development of national cyber defence capabilities and the improvement of the Alliance’s overall cyber resilience.  Through multinational cooperation nations can develop advanced cyber capabilities in a collaborative, cost-effective manner.

“There are several benefits from a multinational approach to developing cyber defence capabilities: potential for cost-savings through joint research, development; joint procurement for economies of scale, and a better end the result thanks to more diverse exposure,” said Koen Gijsbers, NCI Agency General Manager, “Finally, a capability developed in this way is ‘born interoperable’, potentially saving significant investments in the long-term.”

“The flexible setup of the project gives opportunity to accommodate additional work packages depending on nations’ priorities. For example support to Rapid Reaction Teams, cyber defence training and education or exercise support packages can be established,” he also stressed.

The Multinational Cyber Defence Capability Development Project benefits from and leverages the Agency’s role as defender of NATO’s networks, its role as Host Nation for the development of new NATO cyber capabilities, as well as its support to the Allied Command Transformation Cyber Defence Programme of Work.

The project is part of the Secretary General’s Smart Defence drive.  It is a Tier1 project in the Smart Defence Project Proposals database, with the NATO Consultation, Command and Control Board as the Sponsor Committee.

Further nations can join in accordance with the project Memorandum of Understanding.

For more information, please download the project brochure.