Why NATO requires cybersecurity assurance and certification
NATO operates in one of the most demanding security environments in the world. Every product, system, or technology integrated into allied operations must meet strict cybersecurity requirements to protect classified information, ensure interoperability between member nations, and safeguard critical defense infrastructure from increasingly sophisticated threats.
Cybersecurity certification is not optional — it is a mandatory gateway. It provides the independent assurance that NATO and its member states need to trust a product before it can be procured, deployed, or connected to sensitive networks. Without recognized certification, even the most innovative solutions cannot enter the NATO ecosystem.
NATO Information Assurance requirements are implemented through a combination of technical evaluation frameworks, NATO‑defined policies, and national certification schemes:
Common Criteria (ISO/IEC 15408)
Common Criteria forms the foundation of cybersecurity evaluation for NATO Information Assurance. It provides a harmonised, internationally recognised framework for assessing security functionality and assurance levels across NATO member nations.
Information Assurance requirements defined by NCIA
Policies and requirements defined by the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) set Information Assurance expectations for NATO systems and guide how security evaluation results are interpreted and applied within NATO environments.
National certification schemes within NATO member states
National certification schemes issue certification decisions based on recognised evaluation results, enabling consistent trust and recognition across NATO member nations.
Common Criteria as the foundation for NATO Information Assurance
NATO and national defense systems rely on trusted technologies to protect classified information and mission‑critical infrastructure. To ensure interoperability and security across allied nations, products must undergo independent evaluation against internationally recognised standards.
NATO Information Assurance (NIA) requirements define how products must be evaluated and approved for use in NATO and national defense environments. NIA requirements are based on Common Criteria (ISO/IEC 15408), the internationally recognised evaluation framework used to support NATO product approval, inclusion in the NATO Information Assurance Product Catalogue (NIAPC), and national security accreditation processes. Products included in the NIAPC must be supported by recognised Common Criteria evaluation results, or by
evaluation results from alternative schemes that are formally aligned with or mapped to Common Criteria.
As a Common Criteria evaluation laboratory, Brightsight supports vendors in aligning their evaluations with NATO Information Assurance and NIAPC requirements, including Protection Profiles, Security Targets, and Assurance Levels relevant to NATO use cases.
Common Criteria is the recognised evaluation framework that serves as the foundation for NATO Information Assurance requirements.
Common Criteria is the recognised evaluation framework that serves as the foundation for NATO Information Assurance requirements.
The NATO Information Assurance Product Catalogue (NIAPC)
The NATO Information Assurance Product Catalogue (NIAPC) serves as a reference catalogue for NATO nations and NATO civil and military bodies. It lists Information Assurance (IA) products that have been evaluated in support of NATO operational requirements and are deployed or available for procurement within NATO environments.
NIACP acts as the authoritative central register of Security Enforcing Products (SEP), supporting NATO Information Assurance requirements and associated activities to introduce and operationalize new systems, solutions, and commercial security products for the handling of NATO information.
Accessing NATO environments is complex. Certification is mandatory.
Having products considered for NATO and national defense procurement is not just about innovation. You need to prove that your product is:
Secure
Meeting rigorous Information Assurance requirements, including Common Criteria
Independently evaluated
Using recognised international evaluation frameworks
Trusted
By national authorities within NATO member nations
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Without the right expertise, navigating Common Criteria–based evaluation and NATO requirements can be slow, costly, and high‑risk.
We guide you from concept to NATO-aligned security evaluation
Brightsight is an accredited Common Criteria IT Security Evaluation Facility (ITSEF)
supporting companies in navigating security evaluation and certification pathways aligned with NATO Information Assurance requirements.
Accredited Common Criteria ITSEF
Internationally recognised evaluation facility for IT security products
Beyond testing — independent evaluation
Through recognised international evaluation frameworks, including Common Criteria
Is this relevant to your product?
We support companies developing products that require independent security evaluation for use in high‑assurance and defense environments, including NATO contexts.
Cryptographic products
Products performing encryption, key management, or cryptographic functions are subject to the highest level of assurance scrutiny.
● Encryption solutions
●
HSMs● Secure communication modules
● Cryptographic libraries
Requirements:
● Evaluation under Common Criteria
●
Review by national cryptographic authorities● Compliance with NATO cryptographic policies
● High assurance levels (EAL4+ and above)
Non-cryptographic cybersecurity products
Products that support cybersecurity functions without directly implementing cryptography are also subject to independent evaluation.
● Firewalls
●
Operating systems● Monitoring systems
● Secure routers
Requirements:
●
Security Target definition● Threat modelling
● Functional testing and vulnerability analysis
● Evaluation under Common Criteria
Secure Hardware & Components
Secure components form the foundation of trusted NATO systems and platforms.
● Secure elements
●
T
rusted Platform Modules (TPMs)● Microcontrollers
● Hardware root-of-trust
Requirements:
●
Hardware security testing● Penetration testing
● Lifecycle and design analysis
● Certification aligned with Common Criteria or domain-specific schemes
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If your product needs to be trusted in high‑assurance and defense environments, we can help.
How the evaluation process works
We simplify a complex evaluation process into clear steps:
01
Define your security scope
Identify the security functions and boundaries of your product.
02
Prepare certification documentation
Build the Security Target and threat model for evaluation.
03
Run independent evaluation
Undergo rigorous evaluation activities conducted by our accredited ITSEF.
04
Obtain certification decision from the relevant authority
Obtain certification decision from the relevant authority
Evaluation results are reviewed, with certification decisions issued by the relevant national authority.
05
Support consideration for NATO procurement
Support consideration for NATO procurement
Certification outcomes can support consideration for use in NATO and national defense procurement contexts, subject to applicable policies and decisions.
We guide you at every step.
How the evaluation process works
We simplify a complex evaluation process into clear steps:
01
Define your security scope
Identify the security functions and boundaries of your product.
02
Prepare certification documentation
Build the Security Target and threat model for evaluation.
03
Run independent evaluation
Undergo rigorous evaluation activities conducted by our accredited ITSEF.
04
Obtain certification decision from the relevant authority
Obtain certification decision from the relevant authority
Evaluation results are reviewed, with certification decisions issued by the relevant national authority.
05
Support consideration for NATO procurement
Support consideration for NATO procurement
Certification outcomes can support consideration for use in NATO and national defense procurement contexts, subject to applicable policies and decisions.
We guide you at every step.
Why companies choose Brightsight
Proven experience in defense and space
More than 10 years of high‑assurance security evaluation projects
Experts cleared for SECRET-level projects
Security-screened specialists supporting classified work
Accredited secure laboratories
Accredited secure laboratories
Facilities accredited to handle projects up to SECRET classification
Deep expertise in cryptography, hardware and secure systems
Deep expertise in cryptography, hardware and secure systems
End‑to‑end support across the Common Criteria evaluation process
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We handle projects that many labs simply can't.
Accredited secure facilities
Our facilities are:
Accredited to handle information up to SECRET classification
Aligned with European and NATO security frameworks
Designed for secure storage, testing, and evaluation
What we do
End-to-end support across three clear phases:
PHASE 1
De-risk early
We identify gaps and define your certification roadmap before you invest.
PHASE 2
Deep technical testing
Security evaluation activities, including penetration testing and cryptographic validation.
PHASE 3
Certification process support
We work with certification bodies and support you throughout the certification process.
Result: faster certification, lower risk, higher success rate.
Key benefits
Clearer path through defense market requirements
Skip the learning curve. Our experience
helps streamline preparation for NATO‑aligned procurement.
Reduced certification risk
Avoid costly re-evaluations with expert guidance from day one.
Stronger credibility
Build trust in high-security sectors
through recognised security evaluation and certification.
Clearer path through defense market requirements
Skip the learning curve. Our experience
helps streamline preparation for NATO‑aligned procurement.
Reduced certification risk
Avoid costly re-evaluations with expert guidance from day one.
Stronger credibility
Build trust in high-security sectors
through recognised security evaluation and certification.
Turn security evaluation into a strategic competitive advantage.
Turn security evaluation into a strategic competitive advantage.
