Introduction to Google Cloud and NATO Partnership
Google Cloud has recently secured a major contract to provide secure, sovereign cloud services to the NATO Communication and Information Agency (NCIA). This agreement comes just a few months after Google Cloud signed a similar deal with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). The partnership will see the NCIA utilize Google Distributed Cloud (GDC), an air-gapped system designed for workloads that require strict controls over data storage and security.
What is Google Distributed Cloud (GDC)
GDC is a cloud platform built for organizations that need to maintain absolute control over their data and ensure it meets the strictest digital sovereignty requirements. According to NATO, GDC empowers organizations to run modern AI and analytics workloads on their most sensitive data, unlocking valuable insights while maintaining operational control.
Details of the Contract
The price of the deal was not disclosed, but NATO described it as a multimillion-pound contract. The setup is expected to strengthen NATO’s digital systems by improving data governance and providing access to advanced cloud and AI tools. The NCIA plans to use GDC at its Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre (JATEC), which will rely on the platform to update its operations and process classified information.
Partnership and Digital Transformation
Tara Brady, president of Google Cloud in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), stated that the agreement reflects the company’s focus on helping defense agencies safeguard important data. NCIA chief technology officer Antonio Calderon emphasized the agency’s aim to bring in "next-generation" tools, including AI, to improve its work and protect its systems. He noted that partnership with industry is a critical component of their digital transformation strategy.
Previous Deals and Partnerships
The deal follows Google Cloud’s £400m agreement with the UK MoD to supply GDC services. This project was the company’s first public government contract after it shared a strategic agreement with the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) to help reduce the government’s dependence on older tech suppliers. NATO has also turned to other major cloud firms, including Oracle, with which it has a separate agreement to move mission-critical workloads to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure as part of its sovereign cloud work.
NATO’s Sovereign Cloud Push
NATO’s partnership with Google Cloud and other providers demonstrates its commitment to a sovereign cloud push that spans multiple vendors. The organization’s aim is to safeguard research and battlefield data while enabling secure connectivity between forces. This is evident in its plans to partner with Oracle to create a secure 5G network for research at its Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE).
Conclusion
The partnership between Google Cloud and NATO marks a significant step in the organization’s digital transformation journey. By leveraging Google Distributed Cloud, NATO aims to improve its data governance, enhance its digital systems, and ensure the security of its sensitive data. This deal, along with other partnerships, underscores NATO’s commitment to a sovereign cloud strategy that prioritizes data security and operational control.
FAQs
- What is the nature of the contract between Google Cloud and NATO?
The contract involves Google Cloud providing secure, sovereign cloud services to the NATO Communication and Information Agency (NCIA) through its Google Distributed Cloud (GDC) platform. - What is Google Distributed Cloud (GDC)?
GDC is an air-gapped cloud system designed for workloads that require strict controls over data storage and security, enabling organizations to run modern AI and analytics workloads while maintaining operational control. - What are the expected outcomes of this partnership for NATO?
The partnership is expected to strengthen NATO’s digital systems, improve data governance, and provide access to advanced cloud and AI tools, enhancing the organization’s ability to process classified information securely. - Is this the first time Google Cloud has worked with a defense agency?
No, Google Cloud has previously signed a deal with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to supply GDC services, marking its first public government contract. - Does NATO work exclusively with Google Cloud?
No, NATO has also partnered with other major cloud providers, such as Oracle, as part of its sovereign cloud strategy to ensure data security and operational control across multiple platforms.
