The NATO Communications and Information Agency’s (NCIA) latest information management network has been cleared for final system acceptance to replace the Partnership for Peace Information Management System.
The system, dubbed the NATO Partners Network, will enable a rapid and secure exchange of information between Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), allies, and partner nations.
It was developed by NATO’s Cyber Security Center, Digital Workplace, Network Services, Core Enterprise Services, and IT Infrastructure.
The Partners Network received interim authorization to operate in March before the system acceptance. It is expected to reach full accreditation in early 2023.
“One of the most important drivers of the NPN network was security,” NCIA Senior Project Manager Nikolaos Chalkias explained.
“That means assurance that the data shared with Partners is available only to the right Partner at the right time in an auditable way.”
NATO Partners Network
According to the agency, the new Partners Network is expected to contribute to “deterrence and defence; crisis prevention and management; and cooperative security.”
The platform will support the Supreme Allied Commander Europe in managing relations and military cooperation with partners to include them in the NATO Response Force and other missions led by NATO.
The network features a collaborative Document Management platform to protect NATO unclassified documents exchange and a mobility solution that extends the connectivity outside SHAPE boundaries via a virtual private network.
Partners that utilize their national Bring Your Own Device equipment to join the network will enjoy a direct internet connection provided by the NATO Public Internet Access.