The two are to add mobile and integrate it with the upgraded, more secure infrastructure and manage the core network

The consortium formed by Proximus and Thales has been selected by the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) to manage and operate its core network. This project will run until the end of 2029. It aims to provide a modern, integrated tech ecosystem to “revolutionize” the operations and collaboration of NCIA users, according to a statement by Proximus.

This major project is designed to strengthen digital capabilities through a secure and scalable infrastructure which the consortium will operate the service on a ‘contractor-owned, contractor-operated’ model. Proximus and Thales will contribute their expertise in network technologies, secure mobility solutions and secure multi-domain cloud infrastructures.

The infrastructure will use cloud-based technology, to provide NCIA’s personnel “with highly secure and efficient access to essential IT services, facilitating real-time communication, collaboration and data management across multiple sites”, Proximus states. Further, the modernisation is intended to extend capabilities, improve compatibility and upgrade systems to ensure optimal performance.

Thales and Proximus will provide a managed service, including:

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) on a certified and accredited cloud
• End-user devices as a service (DaaS) for personnel
• Robust cybersecurity solutions, ensuring a highly secure digital environment
• Advanced networking capabilities for resilient connectivity
• Comprehensive platform administration services
• Scalable cloud services for secure storage and high-performance computing

In addition, the two are to deploy a secure mobility solution, supplying more than 5,000 laptops in Device as a Service (DaaS) mode. The devices will be equipped with multi-domain security technology, enabling users to access different levels of security classification from a single device.

An integrated, strategic step

This strategic contract should be a major step towards technological modernisation to support NCIA’s critical missions, in particular by integrating solutions in connectivity, mobility and security. Proximus and Thales say they are “positioning themselves as key player in the digital transformation of defence, offering resilient, secure connectivity and infrastructure tailored to NATO’s critical needs”.