First NATO Cyberspace Commanders' Conference

• The creation of the NATO Integrated Cyber Defence Centre (NICC) was discussed at this meeting

NATO's Operational Headquarters in Mons, Belgium, hosted the first Cyberspace Commanders' Conference. The meeting was led by the Deputy Head of Cyberspace, German General Jürgen Brötz. The Commander of the Joint Cyberspace Command, Vice Admiral Francisco Javier Roca Rivero, represented Spain at this high-level meeting, which gathered the top military representatives of the allied nations' cyberspace domain.

The aim of the conference was to lay the groundwork for the creation of the NATO Integrated Cyber Defence Centre (NICC), which follows the path set by the Washington Summit declaration of July 2024. The Centre will improve network and system protection and situational awareness and will enhance the implementation of cyberspace as an operational domain. It fulfils one of the basic premises that characterise cyber defence: cooperation among allies trying to defend virtual borders that are widely blurred.

Several discussions were focused on improving the deterrence and defence provided by the Atlantic Alliance, effectively integrating cyberspace into multi-domain operations. It is necessary to strengthen collaboration in the cyberspace domain (which includes the electromagnetic spectrum) among allies. Representatives from nations had the opportunity to present their ideas on how to develop and support this new NATO Integrated Cyber Defence Centre (NICC), contributing their experience and acquired knowledge, which are vital in an environment that requires the greatest adaptability, such as cyberspace.

The Cyberspace Deputy of ACO proposed the creation of a Cyber and Electromagnetic Operations Headquarters (CEMO HQ) and integrated into the NATO force structure, at the same level as the Joint Force Commands (JFC).