en.Wedoany.com Reported - Accenture has signed a contract worth approximately €200 million with the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA), in partnership with Italian company Leonardo, to develop the "Protected Business Network" (PBN) project, aimed at modernizing the digital infrastructure of the Atlantic Alliance.

The seven-year contract aims to create a secure cloud-based platform for NATO that supports operations involving classified information. The new system will replace the current infrastructure, adopting a common cloud operating model, unified engineering practices, and an environment that accelerates the development and deployment of new digital services, providing more effective resistance against cyberattacks and disruptions. The platform will be deployed in NCIA's multi-cloud environment, supporting approximately 29,000 users of the organization in phases.

Within the scope of this project, Leonardo will be responsible for implementing a Zero Trust security architecture based on its proprietary artificial intelligence cybersecurity platform. The contract was signed by NCIA General Manager Dylan Browne and Accenture's Defense Business Lead for EMEA, Olivier Girard, at the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum in Ankara.

Dylan Browne stated that the agreement represents a "decisive step" in the Alliance's digital transformation. Mauro Macchi, CEO of Accenture in EMEA, described the project as "one of the most important transformation projects of our time." Lorenzo Mariani, CEO of Leonardo, believes the initiative will enhance NATO's operational readiness, interoperability, and mission continuity. The project has been approved by the North Atlantic Council and is part of the Alliance's strategy to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies and strengthen its technological advantage.