NATO members commit to creating new cyber center in Belgium

NATO allies have pledged to establish a first-of-its-kind integrated cyberdefense center and to develop a new strategy to secure NATO networks, according to a formal communique the alliance released on Wednesday.

The NATO Integrated Cyber Defense Center will “enhance network protection, situational awareness and the implementation of cyberspace as an operational domain,” the document states. 

Details about the digital hub were reported previously by Recorded Future News. NATO’s 75th anniversary summit continues Thursday in Washington.

The center, which will be headquartered in Belgium, “will inform NATO military commanders on possible threats and vulnerabilities in cyberspace, including privately-owned civilian critical infrastructures necessary to support military activities,” according to the alliance.

It will “bring together civilian and military personnel from across the NATO Enterprise, Allied countries and experts from industry” and “leverage advanced technologies to increase our situational awareness in cyberspace and enhance collective resilience and defence.”

The communique also promises that member nations will strengthen “the protection of critical undersea infrastructure” through “continued development” of NATO’s Center for Security of CUI.

In addition, the document states the alliance is “strongly committed” to the security and stability of the Western Balkans and the Black Sea regions — areas that are frequent targets for a spectrum of Russian operations, especially since Moscow’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

“We will continue to enhance our political dialogue and practical cooperation with the Western Balkans in order to support reforms, regional peace and security, and counter malign influence, including disinformation, hybrid, and cyber threats, posed by both state and non-state actors.”

In a similar vein, the alliance also calls out China for its support of the Kremlin’s war effort, noting the “deeping strategic partnership” between the two countries and their “mutually reinforcing attempts to undercut and reshape the rules-based international order, are a cause for profound concern. 

Beijing’s “stated ambitions and coercive policies continue to challenge our interests, security and values.”