NATO Nations to boost cyber defence cooperation

The aim of the session was to chart multinational projects that would allow NATO member states to further enhance their cyber defence capabilities in a collaborative, cost-effective manner by establishing joint projects.

Areas discussed included improved information-sharing on rapidly emerging threats, new technologies and capabilities; and joint acquisition of Computer Incident Response and cyber defence situational awareness capabilities.

The workshop was held as a follow-up to the Lisbon Summit decisions and the high-level cyber defence meeting held at NATO Headquarters on 25 January. It was opened by Ambassador Gabor Iklody, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges.

“Derived from the Lisbon Critical Capabilities Commitment and the NATO New Strategic Concept, the new NATO Cyber Defence Policy and Action Plan in June will address the two major questions: what do we want to defend and how do we want to do it?,” said Ambassador Iklody, “This workshop greatly contributed to answering the ‘how?’ by addressing the vital need for optimization of information sharing, collaboration and interoperability.”

“NC3A has been involved in cyber defence projects since their inception in NATO. By facilitating the establishment of multinational projects in cyber defence, Nations will be able to leverage the expertise gained through our work on NATO common funded activities,” said Georges D’Hollander, NC3A General Manager.

Cost-effective development of national capabilities

The workshop was attended by over 60 participants, including high-ranking representatives from 21 Nations, NATO’s Transformation Command, as well as cyber defence experts from NATO HQ, the NATO Computer Incident Response Capability Technical Centre, NC3A and the Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn, Estonia

The NC3A is responsible for the improvement and acquisition of NATO’s cyber defence capabilities. The Alliances is currently significantly upgrading its cyber defences, with the enhanced capabilities due to be up and running in 2012.