NATO's Evolving Cyber Security Policy and Strategy

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is adapting and adjusting its thinking, political, economic, technological, and innovative processes to new challenges. This chapter looks at the cyber security policies, institutions, and initiatives of NATO, draws attention to cooperative efforts and partnerships with non-NATO countries, and sheds light on the current and future challenges facing NATO in the cyber realm. For nearly two decades, cyber defense has been a feature of NATO’s strategic planning. NATO’s concept of “Smart Defence” in compatible with the idea of collaborative defense with flexibility, innovation, and greater efficiency as chief elements. The concept as policy innovation supports Allies in cooperative engagement for the development, acquisition, and maintenance of critical military capabilities in line with NATO’s strategic concept. NATO works with a number of partner countries to enhance international security based on shared values and common approaches to cyber defense, supporting a norms-based, predictable, and secure cyberspace, and protecting critical technology and infrastructure.