Ankara, Turkey: Global consulting and technology services leader Accenture has secured a multi-million euro contract worth approximately €200 million from the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) to modernize the alliance’s digital infrastructure. The project, to be delivered in collaboration with Leonardo, will span the next seven years and support NATO’s transition to a secure, cloud-enabled digital enterprise.
The agreement marks one of NATO’s most significant digital transformation initiatives and aims to create a resilient, scalable, and secure technology foundation for the alliance’s future operations.
NATO’s Protected Business Network to Replace Legacy Systems
The contract forms part of NATO’s Protected Business Network (PBN) programme, a strategic initiative designed to replace legacy IT infrastructure with a modern cloud-based operating environment.
The platform will enable approximately 29,000 users across NATO to securely communicate, collaborate, and access classified information through a standardized multi-cloud infrastructure.
The programme is expected to strengthen NATO’s operational agility by introducing:
- Secure multi-cloud infrastructure
- Standardized engineering practices
- Faster deployment of digital services
- Improved cyber resilience
- Scalable digital operations
The new environment will provide a unified digital backbone capable of supporting future defence technologies and mission-critical applications.
Accenture and Leonardo to Deliver Multi-Cloud Platform
Under the agreement, Accenture and Leonardo will jointly design, implement, and operate the core Protected Business Network platform across NCIA’s multi-cloud infrastructure.
Leonardo will strengthen the platform’s cybersecurity capabilities by deploying a Zero Trust Architecture powered by its proprietary Global Cybersec Platform, an AI-driven multi-agent cybersecurity solution designed to enhance resilience against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
The project is expected to improve interoperability across NATO member nations while enabling faster deployment of secure digital services.
NATO Accelerates Digital Transformation
The agreement was officially signed during the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum in Ankara by Dr. Dylan Browne, General Manager of NCIA, and Olivier Girard, Accenture’s EMEA Defense Industry Lead.
Commenting on the project, Dr. Dylan Browne, General Manager of NCIA, said:
“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.”
Accenture: Building NATO’s Digital Backbone
Mauro Macchi, CEO for EMEA at Accenture, described the initiative as one of the most significant digital transformation programmes currently underway.
“NATO’s ambition to become a digitally enabled Alliance is one of the most consequential transformation programs 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.”
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Leonardo to Deliver AI-Powered Cybersecurity
Lorenzo Mariani, CEO and General Manager of Leonardo, emphasized the strategic importance of cybersecurity in today’s geopolitical environment.
“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.”
Strengthening NATO’s Technological Edge
Approved by the North Atlantic Council as a NATO-wide capability programme, the Protected Business Network supports the alliance’s long-term strategy to accelerate digital transformation while adopting emerging technologies securely.
The initiative is expected to provide NATO with a future-ready digital infrastructure capable of supporting cloud computing, AI-enabled operations, cybersecurity, and data-driven decision-making across allied nations.
As governments worldwide increase investments in secure cloud platforms, cyber resilience, and defence technology, the Accenture-Leonardo partnership highlights the growing role of enterprise technology in strengthening national and international security.
Ruchi Kumar is the associate editor at Entrepreneur News Network and TVW News India, where she leads editorial strategy, brand storytelling, and startup ecosystem coverage. With a strong focus on innovation, business, and marketing insights, he curates impactful narratives that spotlight India’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape. She has written extensively on fintech, AI and emerging startups.