How Will Oracle 5G Tech Secure NATO Cyber Operations?

The NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence has selected Oracle and Oracle partner Druid Software to design, deploy and secure private 5G networks for NATO research, war gaming and development initiatives, marking another step in NATO’s push to modernise its digital and operational infrastructure.

The CCDCOE, based in Tallinn, Estonia, operates as a multinational cyber defence hub. The centre supports NATO and its member nations with expertise spanning cyber defence research, training, and exercises across technology, strategy, operations and law.

The technologies will enable connectivity for cyber defence exercises that protect infrastructure from external threats and follows Oracle’s recent announcement that the NATO Communications and Information Agency is moving workloads to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.

Oracle 5G Security Edge Protection Proxy verification

The CCDCOE completed a pilot programme that verified Oracle’s 5G Security Edge Protection Proxy as a solution for securing 5G roaming communications across NATO member networks. The SEPP forms part of Oracle’s 5G Core portfolio, which communications service providers deploy worldwide to deliver confidentiality and integrity for 5G interconnect roaming messages.

During the pilot, Oracle’s SEPP software was deployed on a Druid 5G ‘Raemis’ core network over Oracle Roving Edge Devices. This verification will enable Oracle to help NATO safeguard battlefield and research data and deliver connectivity between allied forces.

“Secure, resilient 5G adds a vital layer to existing communications, while portable, private networks with seamless roaming enable faster, more effective data sharing, keeping NATO forces a step ahead of adversaries,” says Tõnis Saar, Director of CCDCOE.

The SEPP is equipped with Global System for Mobile Communications recommended firewall capabilities and security hardening measures. These combine encryption in transit, which guards against data exposure in the network and encryption at rest, which secures data from attack on storage media.

Druid Software Raemis platform for NATO operations

The combination of Druid Software’s Raemis platform with Oracle's technologies provides NATO with roaming and network federation capabilities. As part of NATO’s drive to enhance operational readiness, the CCDCOE supports building secure private networks across the alliance.

The CCDCOE has been advancing research on 5G networks to support NATO and its member nations. As an accredited NATO entity, the centre shares its research outcomes with NATO allies and like-minded nations for military use.

“Safeguarding mission-critical and sensitive information over communications networks is paramount to national and global security,” says Andrew Morawski, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Oracle Regulated Industries. “By bolstering 5G data security across roaming networks, Oracle technologies will help NATO forces enhance data integrity and gain operational advantages in high-stakes scenario planning and testing.”

Oracle Communications provides communications and cloud solutions for service providers and enterprises. The company’s 5G Core portfolio is deployed by communications service providers globally.

Private 5G networks for cyber defence exercises

The private 5G networks will support NATO research, war gaming and development initiatives conducted by the CCDCOE. The centre conducts cyber defence exercises that test the resilience of infrastructure and communications systems.

Oracle offers infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud, alongside application suites. The company trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ORCL.

The NATO CCDCOE was established to support NATO and its member nations in cyber defence. The centre operates under the framework of NATO but is funded and staffed by sponsoring nations rather than through NATO's common budget.

“Advanced 5G networks must deliver uncompromising data security to protect mission-critical communications,” says Liam Kenny, CEO of Druid Software. “The combination of our Raemis platform with Oracle's technologies, provides NATO with secure and robust roaming and network federation capabilities, for greater interoperability and for operational superiority in high-pressure scenarios.”