The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) has awarded French IT conglomerate Atos, sporting a Top 250 MSSP business unit, a 1.2 million euro (1.25m USD) contract to install and configure mission critical cybersecurity capabilities and systems at 22 NATO sites.
Bolstering NATO Strategy
Atos' new contract with NATO covers:
- Upgrading two key cybersecurity systems of the NATO resilience strategy — the Network Intrusion Protection/Detection System (NIPS) and Full Packet Capture (FPC) system.
- Replacing NIPS and FPC capabilities across the wider NATO footprint.
- Deployment at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in September, and then break off into three parallel teams to execute an aggressive timeframe starting in October.
- Completing the deployments no later than the first quarter of 2023.
Commenting on the contract, Cyril Dujardin, Atos senior vice president, head of Digital Security and deputy head of Big Data & Security, said:
“As the cyber threat landscape continues to intensify with a myriad of new digital threats, Atos is pleased to support NATO in updating its cybersecurity technologies to ensure the best line of defense, ultimately protecting the interests of the intergovernmental military alliance.”
Small Contract, Big Implications
While the contract is relatively small, it comes amid internal strife and structural changes at Atos as well as the geopolitical climate of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the cybersecurity risks it presents to NATO countries.
Atos is proposing to split its business in two, with the security business becoming part of SpinCo, Evidian. However, with cybersecurity playing such an integral part in today’s environment, it is difficult to assess how spinning off the cyber wing affects Atos’ overall business.
In addition, chief executive Rodolphe Belmer will resign effective September 30, 2022, just nine months after taking the job. Belmer and the Atos board reportedly clashed over the business unit, with Belmer wanting to sell it and the board wanting to retain it.
