The Communication and Information Systems Security Standards Communications and Information Partnership is a Smart Defence Initiative that focuses on the development and maintenance of security standards for interoperability in the area of Consultation, Command and Control (C3). Common standards ensure that Nations are able to work together effectively and efficiently in missions while using their own systems, which may be specialized for national purposes while maintaining the ability to interoperate with NATO and other parties.
The CIS3 Partnership brings together Nations who want to maintain and influence the further development of selected CIS security standards for use in Nations and NATO, achieving interoperability across the Alliance, as well as internally in the Nations between devices from different manufacturers.
Benefits to Participating Nations
- Participating Nations have control on the development of CIS Security Standards (CIS3) that are critical for interoperability;
- Development costs are shared by participating Nations;
- CIS security standards are developed under a common approach for standards development;
- National industry is involved in the development and testing of key interoperability standards for secure communications through:
- participation in technical discussions at Working Group level,
- participation in regular testing sessions promoted by the Partnership,
- access to testing tools that are developed by the Partnership;
- Participation in the Partnership facilitates the use of federated approaches;
- Nations can share ideas with NATO, other Nations and national industries by creating a community of subject matter experts;
- Funding Nations can influence the way NATO is going by leading on key interoperability standards development.
Governance Framework for the CIS3 Partnership
The CIS3 Partnership is composed of a number of governing and advisory bodies and entities. At programmatic level, the work is segregated in work packages.
The Partnership Committee is comprised by the participating Nations and defines the Programme of Work for the Partnership. It directs, monitors and controls its implementation with the support of the CIS3 Secretariat and the subordinate Work Package Boards.
The CIS3 Secretariat is provided by NCIA and supports the CIS3 Partnership Committee and the Work Package Boards, delivering programmatic, project management and technical support.
Work Package Boards execute the Programme of Work approved by the CIS3 Partnership Committee and define the detailed requirements and execution of the respective Work Packages.
Working Groups support and facilitate the implementation and interoperability testing of the Work Packages.
Observers provide significant value and contributions to the Partnership, at Partnership Committee and Work Package Board levels. Observers do not take part in decision-making processes.
The Partnership is legally bound by the NCIA Supervisory Board approved General Rules for C&I Partnerships and by the CIS3 Partnership Arrangement, which is signed by the participating Nations.
How to participate
NATO Nations and Partner Nations may participate to CIS3 Partnership either as Participants or Observers. For more detailed information on joining the Partnership, Nations are invited to send their request to [email protected].