A strategy for NATO's digital future

In the context defined by the Strategic Concept 2022, the Atlantic Alliance has reaffirmed the need to strengthen its technological edge as a key element for deterrence and collective defence. To this end, NATO has embarked on a profound digital transformation process, culminating with theapproval in February 2025 of the Data Strategy for the Alliance (DaSA) by the Atlantic Council. The strategy is part of the Digital Transformation Implementation Strategy (DTIS), which aims to improve interoperability, situational awareness and decision-making through the use of data.

At the heart of the strategy is the establishment of theAlliance Data Sharing Ecosystem (ADSE), a system that enables the secure and collaborative exchange of data resources, artificial intelligence (AI) models and machine learning algorithms between Allies, industry and academia. The goal? To make NATO a true organisation data-centric by 2030, able to exploit curated and reliable data through a literate workforce, optimised processes and federated digital infrastructure.

Towards a data-driven NATO: governance, culture and interoperability

Lhe NATO strategy defines five strategic objectives: robust data governance, valorisation of data as a strategic asset, security data-centricanalytical maturity of staff and the creation of a federated ecosystem for data sharing. Data governance will be led by the Digital Policy Committee, which will coordinate the adoption of common standards, data protection and respect for the principles of security, legality and privacy. NATO will also adopt adaptive security measures, based on the origin and confidentiality of the data, to protect missions and individual rights.

To foster cultural transformation, the strategy aims to train a workforce with transversal data skills through tailor-made training paths for roles and teams. This approach aims to build a widespread culture of data-driven decision-making, ensuring that every NATO member, civilian or military, can contribute in an informed and effective manner.

Fondamentale sarà anche l’interoperabilità: metadati standardizzati (NCMS – STANAG 5636), cataloghi integrati e interfacce web/API permetteranno agli utenti – umani o automatizzati – di accedere in modo sicuro e tracciabile a dati condivisi. La strategia prevede inoltre l’adozione del Data Centric Reference Architecture (DCRA), a framework that ensures scalability, quality and adaptability of data, orienting NATO towards a truly data-driven.

Principles, enablers and data-centred governance

La Data Strategy for the Alliance is based on seven guiding principles: data must be discoverable, accessible, reliable, regulated, interoperable, shared and secure throughout their lifecycle. To ensure the operation of these principles, the strategy provides for a series of data enablers including governance, reference architectures, modern standards for interoperability and talent development.

In particular, computational governance of data will ensure quality, security and compliance on a large scale; reference architectures will provide standards and technology recommendations to ensure efficient use of data. New NATO standards for semantic interoperability, based on specific ontologies for defence and security, will facilitate integration between humans and technologies such as AI. At the same time, the development of an agile data culture will be made possible by adequate training and the empowerment of personnel capable of using data as a lever for change.

At the governance level, NATO has established a Data Centric Governance Operating Model to coordinate the implementation of the strategy and promote dialogue between those responsible for data management. The model envisages the creation of dedicated committees both at national level and within the NATO Enterprisewith the operational support of NATO's Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO). The NATO Information Management Authority (NIMA), in Alliance format, will act as a council of CDOs, overseeing the adoption of policies and data standards.

In summary, NATO's data strategy represents a decisive step towards an integrated and conscious management of data as a strategic resource. By strengthening digital capabilities, training the workforce and creating a federated sharing ecosystem, the Alliance aims to consolidate its information and operational advantage in an increasingly complex and competitive geopolitical environment.