NATO is to establish a new cyber defence centre to better protect against ever more sophisticated and increasing cyber threats.
The NATO Integrated Cyber Defence Centre (NICC) will aim to enhance the protection of NATO and Allied networks and the use of cyberspace as an operational domain. The NICC will inform NATO military commanders on possible threats and vulnerabilities in cyberspace, including privately-owned civilian critical infrastructures necessary to support military activities.
Based at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium, the NICC will bring together civilian and military personnel from across the NATO Enterprise, Allied countries and experts from industry. It will leverage advanced technologies to increase our situational awareness in cyberspace and enhance collective resilience and defence.
NATO stated that in line with Allies’ shared values and international obligations, the NICC will promote a norms-based, predictable and secure approach to cyberspace.
Congressman Mark Green, Chairman of the United States House Committee on Homeland Security said: “The creation of a new NATO cyber center in Belgium is a major step forward in combating cyber warfare and securing our cyber networks. Since NATO’s founding in 1949, the threat landscape has drastically evolved, and this new center is an acknowledgment of NATO’s need to evolve as well. With the presence of increasingly aggressive regimes around the globe, this decision reinforces the fact that we cannot defend our networks or critical infrastructure alone.”
