NATO Cyber Defence Standards and NCIRC (NATO Computer Incident Response Capability)
NATO's cyber defence framework includes the NATO Cyber Defence Policy (2014, updated 2021), the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) Tallinn Manual, and the NATO Computer Incident Response Capability (NCIRC). Key documents include: NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) security standards, AC/322 Information Assurance series, Cyber Defence Pledge (2016), and the 2021 Comprehensive Cyber Defence Policy recognising cyberspace as an operational domain. NATO nations committed to the Cyber Defence Pledge at the 2016 Warsaw Summit, with enhanced commitments at the 2023 Vilnius Summit including the Virtual Cyber Incident Support Capability (VCISC).
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Framework Domains (4)
Cyber Defence Integration
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| NCIRC-4.1 | Collective Defence Integration |
| NCIRC-4.2 | Cyberspace as Operational Domain |
| NCIRC-4.3 | Cyber Defence Exercises |
Cyber Defence Policy and Governance
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| NCIRC-1.1 | Cyber Defence Policy |
| NCIRC-1.2 | Cyber Defence Committee Governance |
| NCIRC-1.3 | NC3 Board Technical Oversight |
NCIRC Operations
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| NCIRC-2.1 | Centralised Cyber Defence Support |
| NCIRC-2.2 | Incident Handling and Reporting |
| NCIRC-2.3 | Rapid Reaction Teams |
| NCIRC-2.4 | Threat Intelligence Sharing |
National Cyber Defence Capabilities
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| NCIRC-3.1 | National Cyber Defence Development |
| NCIRC-3.2 | Cyber Defence Pledge Compliance |
| NCIRC-3.3 | CCDCOE Standards Development |
Maps to 153 other frameworks
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NATO Cyber Defence Standards and NCIRC (NATO Computer Incident Response Capability)?
NATO Cyber Defence Standards and NCIRC (NATO Computer Incident Response Capability) is a compliance framework from International (NATO — 32 members) with 4 domains and 13 controls. NATO's cyber defence framework includes the NATO Cyber Defence Policy (2014, updated 2021), the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) Tallinn Manual, and the NATO Computer Incident Response Capability (NCIRC). Key documents include: NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) security standards, AC/322 Information Assurance series, Cyber Defence Pledge (2016), and the 2021 Comprehensive Cyber Defence Policy recognising cyberspace as an operational domain. NATO nations committed to the Cyber Defence Pledge at the 2016 Warsaw Summit, with enhanced commitments at the 2023 Vilnius Summit including the Virtual Cyber Incident Support Capability (VCISC). It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
How many controls does NATO Cyber Defence Standards and NCIRC (NATO Computer Incident Response Capability) have?
NATO Cyber Defence Standards and NCIRC (NATO Computer Incident Response Capability) has 13 controls organised across 4 domains. The largest domains are NCIRC Operations (4 controls), Cyber Defence Integration (3 controls), Cyber Defence Policy and Governance (3 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.
What frameworks does NATO Cyber Defence Standards and NCIRC (NATO Computer Incident Response Capability) map to?
NATO Cyber Defence Standards and NCIRC (NATO Computer Incident Response Capability) maps to 153 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are HKMA Cyber Resilience Assessment Framework (C-RAF) (15% coverage), BS 65000:2014 — Guidance on Organizational Resilience (15% coverage), FFIEC Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (CAT) (15% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.
How do I get started with NATO Cyber Defence Standards and NCIRC (NATO Computer Incident Response Capability) compliance?
Start your NATO Cyber Defence Standards and NCIRC (NATO Computer Incident Response Capability) compliance journey by running a self-assessment on our platform to identify your current compliance posture. Our AI advisory can answer specific questions about NATO Cyber Defence Standards and NCIRC (NATO Computer Incident Response Capability) requirements, and cross-framework mapping helps you leverage existing controls from other frameworks you may already comply with. Create a free account to access all 13 controls and track your progress.
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