NATO awarded a multi-million-euro contract to Accenture to develop its Protected Business Network (PBN), a major step in advancing the Alliance’s secure, cloud-enabled digital infrastructure. The agreement, signed with the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) during the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum in Ankara, will see Accenture partner with Leonardo to deliver the programme over seven years.
Valued at approximately €200 million, the PBN programme is designed to establish a secure digital backbone for NATO’s classified operations. It will enable decision-makers and military personnel across domains to communicate, coordinate, and access critical data within a standardized, scalable cloud environment resilient to cyber threats and operational disruptions.
The initiative will replace legacy systems with a modern cloud operating model, introducing standardized engineering practices and a secure framework for rapidly developing and deploying digital services. This transformation is expected to significantly enhance the agility, security, and interoperability of NATO’s digital ecosystem.
Accenture and Leonardo will be responsible for designing, implementing, and operating the core PBN platform across a multi-cloud environment provided by NCIA. The system will support the phased rollout of secure cloud services to approximately 29,000 users across NATO member states, reinforcing the Alliance’s digital capabilities at scale.
The programme will incorporate advanced cybersecurity measures, including a Zero Trust Architecture implemented by Leonardo through its proprietary Global Cybersec Platform. This AI-driven, multi-agent cyber defence capability is expected to ensure high levels of resilience against evolving cyber threats.
“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,” said Dr Dylan Browne, General Manager of NCIA.
Mauro Macchi, CEO for EMEA at Accenture, highlighted the scale of the initiative, stating, “NATO’s ambition to become a digitally enabled Alliance is one of the most consequential transformation programmes of our time. Together with Leonardo, we are delivering the cloud and security capabilities required to build a resilient, interoperable digital backbone for the future.”
Lorenzo Mariani, CEO and General Manager of Leonardo, added, “In the current geopolitical landscape, this project represents a significant milestone in strengthening NATO’s operational readiness, interoperability, and mission continuity, while reinforcing our leadership in mission-critical cybersecurity.”
Approved by the North Atlantic Council as a NATO-wide capability programme, the Protected Business Network underscores the Alliance’s long-term commitment to digital transformation, ensuring it can effectively leverage emerging technologies while maintaining its strategic and technological edge.
