NATO has launched a major technological modernisation strategy by signing an estimated 200 million euro agreement with IT consultancy Accenture and aerospace firm Leonardo. Announced at the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum in Ankara, the contract initiates the implementation phase of the Protected Business Network capability programme. The initiative aims to upgrade the alliance to a cloud-enabled enterprise that is highly resistant to external interference.
Running through a series of fixed-price task orders between 2026 and 2033, the seven-year project will establish a standardised cloud environment. The new network is designed to handle classified data, ensuring military personnel and decision-makers can easily coordinate across different operational domains. Accenture will lead the multi-cloud system rollout, while Leonardo will deploy its proprietary Global Cybersec Platform, using an artificial intelligence multi-agentic system alongside a Zero Trust Architecture to enhance digital resilience.
The Protected Business Network will completely phase out outdated computing infrastructure across the organisation. By implementing unified engineering practices, the new platform will allow NATO to roll out future digital applications at a much faster pace. Approximately 29,000 users across the entire alliance will eventually transition onto the secure cloud platform. The overarching capability programme has received official authorisation from the North Atlantic Council to support widespread cloud adoption.
Dr Dylan Browne, General Manager of the NATO Communications and Information Agency, signed the agreement along with Olivier Girard from Accenture. Dr Browne commented: “With this contract, we are delivering on the Alliance’s commitment to innovation, digital transformation, and collective investment in our technological future. Under the Protected Business Network, NATO is taking a key step to modernize its digital infrastructure and enable a more connected, data-driven enterprise, ensuring we deliver digital capabilities at speed and scale.”
Mauro Macchi, CEO for EMEA at Accenture, said: “NATO’s ambition to become a digitally enabled Alliance is one of the most consequential transformation programmes of our time, and reinvention at this scale requires a trusted partner willing to take accountability for outcomes. Together with Leonardo, we are bringing the cloud and security capabilities needed to help NCIA build a digital backbone that is resilient, interoperable and ready for the future, while strengthening the Alliance’s own ability to operate and lead.”
Lorenzo Mariani, CEO and General Manager of Leonardo, added: “In the current geopolitical landscape, this project represents a significant milestone to boost NATO’s operational readiness, interoperability, and mission continuity. Leonardo, with the Protected Business Network Program, consolidates its leadership in trusted cyber security for mission critical organizations.”
