AWS becomes first cloud provider cleared for NATO Restricted data across the alliance
Amazon Web Services secured alliance-wide approval to handle NATO Restricted information, via a Spanish security review, ahead of Microsoft and other rivals.
What to know
- AWS is the first cloud provider approved to handle NATO RESTRICTED information across all NATO member states.
- The clearance flowed through Spain's National Cryptologic Center (CCN), which tested AWS against NATO's D32 directive and gave AWS's Spain region a further national 'Difusión Limitada' clearance.
- Approval covers AWS's own infrastructure only; individual governments and defense organizations must still separately accredit their own systems running on it.
- The deal highlights continued European reliance on U.S. cloud providers even as the EU pushes data-sovereignty rules like the 2024 Data Act.
“a sustained, multi-year effort”
David Appel, Acting VP, Worldwide Public Sector, AWS · Defense One ↗ · Sep 21
AWS (Amazon Web Services) Cloud provider seeking NATO clearanceDavid Appel Acting VP, Worldwide Public Sector, AWSDylan Browne General manager, NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA)Spain's National Cryptologic Center (CCN) National body that tested AWS against NATO's D32 directiveMicrosoft Competing U.S. cloud provider
How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts
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Details emerge on Spain-routed certification path
Reporting detailed how AWS's approval ran through Madrid: Spain's National Cryptologic Center (CCN) assessed AWS against NATO's D32 directive, AWS also earned Spain's highest ENS 'High' certification and DL clearance for its Spain region, with findings then shared to all NATO allies.
“The availability of commercial products that meet NATO’s security requirements expands the technology options available for the Alliance and supports our ability to adopt modern technologies while maintaining the security and resilience on which our operations depend…”
— Dylan Browne, General manager, NCIA · source -
AWS becomes the first cloud provider cleared for NATO Restricted work across the alliance https:// thenextweb.com/news/aws-nato-r estricted-approval?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub Posted into TNW - All Stories @ tnw-all-stories-thenextweb
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Analysts say the deal shows Europe still depends on U.S. cloud
Defense One argued the approval demonstrates that despite EU data-sovereignty rules and White House claims of European overreach, U.S. cloud providers remain central to NATO's digital plans and are not meaningfully hindered by EU regulation.
“an increasingly independent Europe still relies on capabilities made in America…”
— Defense One -
first by Defense One, 1d ago
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background
AWS wins alliance-wide NATO Restricted approval — AWS announced it received NATO approval to handle NATO RESTRICTED (NR) information across all alliance member states, becoming the first cloud provider to do so, beating competitors including Microsoft.