Digital Policy Committee (DPC)
NATO’s Digital Policy Committee is the senior multinational policy committee in the area of NATO’s digital initiatives, and Consultation, Command and Control (C3). It develops policy, and provides guidance and advice in areas such as C3, cyber defence, interoperability standards and digital capabilities to the North Atlantic Council (NAC). Spearheading NATO’s Digital Transformation, the DPC works towards NATO’s digital primacy in the face of an ever-changing technological landscape.
Background
The nature of security and warfare is one of continuous evolution, and the digital age has only accelerated this process. As threats develop faster and maintaining capabilities becomes more complex, the need for oversight to ensure effective communication, decision-making and defence is of paramount importance.
Role, responsibilities and main participants
The DPC enables the Alliance to remain at the forefront of new technological developments, while maintaining interoperability for seamless interfacing between military domains and Allied armed forces.
It is responsible for policy and technical advice in the areas of:
- Digital strategy and capabilities
- Communications and Information Systems (CIS)
- Cyber defence
- Data standardization
- Digital interoperability
- Relevant emerging and disruptive technologies
In addition to this, the DPC leads the Organization’s Digital Transformation, an ambitious vision to make sure that NATO is equipped and able to ensure the security of Allies in the digital age.
The DPC is composed of senior national representatives from the Allies, representatives of NATO’s Strategic Commands, and other NATO committees and bodies with an interest in its policy remit.
Working mechanism
The Digital Policy Committee meets twice a year to set strategic objectives, evaluate progress and decide upon key policies. In addition to this, National Representatives meet regularly in Permanent Sessions to agree on policy and monitor the fulfilment of the DPC’s strategic objectives, as well as in Informal Sessions to receive updates and provide guidance to staff. With many topics of mutual interest, the DPC also has a strong working relationship with the Military Committee Working Group on Communication and Information Services (MCWG(CIS)), as well as with other senior policy committees. This collaboration ensures coherence and effective policy development.
The work of the DPC is supported by the NATO Digital Staff (NDS), which helps in producing policy recommendations and committee planning. It also advises the MCWG(CIS) on relevant matters.
The DPC is further supported by a comprehensive substructure of multinational Capability Panels and teams composed of national experts, each focusing on a specialised area of the Committee’s business, including:
- Communication and Information Services Capability Panel
- Navigation and Identification Capability Panel
- Civil/Military Spectrum Capability Panel
- Information Assurance and Cyber Defence Capability Panel
- Interoperability Standards and Profiles
- Architectures
- Maritime C3 Capabilities
- Land Tactical Communication and Information Services
- Data Exploitation
Evolution
In 1996, the North Atlantic Council created the C3 Board to reflect the need for a senior committee in the areas of Consultation, Command and Control; Information and Communication Technologies; and Communications and Information Systems policy.
As technology and security threats change, so do the C3 needs of the Alliance. At the Vilnius Summit in July 2023, Allies agreed on NATO’s Digital Transformation Implementation Strategy, which strengthens the Alliance’s ability to operate decisively across the land, air, maritime, cyberspace and space domains.
In December 2023, the North Atlantic Council approved the renaming of the C3 Board to the Digital Policy Committee to better reflect its updated scope and vision in the digital age.