NATO Network Equipment - CISCO Integration and ForeScout

Due to the increasing aggression in Europe, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) has directed that NSHQ transition to a warfighting headquarters and become the Theater SOF Component Command (TSCC) and be able to command three Regional SOF Component Commands (RSCC), including the Allied Special Operation Forces Command (SOFCOM).

NSHQ will transition from a US-centric communications command and control (C2) network provided by US Battlefield Intelligence Collection and Exploitation System (USBICES) to the NATO C2 Enterprise network. NSHQ will modernize the NSHQ C2 network and computing infrastructure and federate into the NATO Classified enterprise (NATO Secret Wide Area Network – NSWAN).

Previously, the Government determined that Cisco and Dell (Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)) were the only name brands capable of providing the products needed for the new classified C2 network, per the Brand Name Justification approved prior to award. On September 7, 2023, delivery order 47QFMA22F0022 was awarded to Red River Technology, LLC, under their NASA SEWP V Contract Number NNG15SC46B to provide NHSQ with brand name products produced by Cisco and Dell.

SOFCOM now requires Cisco Integration Support to implement the classified C2 network to enable a NATO warfighting capability to deter aggression in Europe. The Government also has a requirement to attain an Authorization to Connect for Testing which will allow connection from SOFCOM’s network to the NATO Classified Cloud. In order to join the NATO Command and Control (C2) classified network, SOFCOM’s network equipment must be secured.

During a review of Communications, Core and Cyber Services conducted by NATO’s Communication and Information agency (NCIA) subsequent to award of Red River’s delivery order, it was determined that SOFCOM’s current cybersecurity software contains gaps in threat protection which would leave the new classified C2 network more vulnerable to cyberattacks if used. A recommendation was made to utilize the ForeScout product. The Government conducted market research through conferences, such as, Army Tech Net and NATO Edge.

Industry’s consensus is that ForeScout is the market leader in cyber defense. In addition, NATO has conducted extensive study on different tools before selecting ForeScout as its premiere network defense tool. SOFCOM’s unclassified network has been successfully accredited with the use of ForeScout as a defense tool and SOFCOM expects an equally successful accreditation for its classified network.

The use of this product will position the SOFCOM to become a warfighting headquarters and to join the NATO command and control enterprise is on a rapid schedule and purchases have been made as soon as they were validated.