NATO NI2CE Messenger builds on Matrix

NATO is innovating with a self-hosted open source and cross-platform instant messaging and voice-over-IP service to support digitally sovereign and secure communications.

The experimental project is led by the Allied Command Transformation’s (ACT) Innovation Hub. The aim is to complement existing NATO communication solutions with a secure Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) style messenger for ‘unclassified’ use.

The system is called NI2CE, which stands for NATO Interoperable Instant Communication Environment.

Addressing the issues caused by consumer messaging apps...

NATO is always looking for innovative ways to enhance its communication posture. Consumer messaging apps, such as Signal, Telegram and WhatsApp, are incredibly popular but unsuited to the workplace; especially in the Defence sector.

NATO NI2CE Messenger looks to capture the convenience and ease of use of consumer messaging apps.

while addressing concerns such as:

End-user privacy.

Unlike consumer messaging apps, the NATO NI2CE Messenger doesn’t need to use an end-user’s personal mobile number.

Secure communication.

End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is default, as opposed to opt-in (unlike Telegram, for instance), and includes voice, video, messaging and attachments.

Interoperability between systems.

NI2CE supports native interoperability with any other app built on the Matrix open standard, which is crucial for a membership organisation like NATO.

Reliability.

Built on the decentralised Matrix open standard, NI2CE is protected against the global outages that centralised systems such as Signal and WhatsApp suffer.

Corporate control and oversight.

NATO self-hosts NI2CE, so it retains control and ownership of the entire platform including federation, auditing and moderation.

Administrative controls.

In complete control of the entire platform, NATO can ensure advanced identification and access management by integrating NI2CE with its existing authentication systems.

A messenger for NATO and its members.

NI2CE can be used by all NATO entities as a sovereign and more secure alternative to consumer messaging apps for unclassified communications.

NATO membership nations are also offered the possibility to discover the features and possible use of the platform. NATO encourages nations to set up their own self-hosted instances, to expand and strengthen the decentralised Matrix-based network to make it increasingly resilient.

NATO is also using NI2CE to support some of its events and experiments.

How NI2CE operates.

NI2CE is a digitally sovereign messenger and voice over IP platform. It is built on the decentralised Matrix open standard for real time communications.

The Matrix open standard supports digital sovereignty, interoperability and end-to-end encryption. Being decentralised, a Matrix-based frontend app operates independently from the Matrix-based backend.

Each user (including nations) is able to host its own deployment, ensuring complete ownership and control of their data. These separate deployments are then federated to create a secure network. Instead of the NI2CE Messenger, if desired, each party can use its own Matrix-based frontend. For instance, The Bundeswehr could theoretically use its Matrix-based BwMessenger app while talking to others who use NI2CE.

The actual NI2CE app is a fork of the open source Element app. Created and maintained by Element, NI2CE has NATO branding and includes some customisations to make it specific to NATO’s use case and requirements.

NATO has a subscription to Element Server Suite to support its own backend for NI2CE. In a Matrix-based system, it is the backend that provides typically ‘enterprise-grade’ functionality such as authentication and access management (usually integrated with some form of SSO system), administration and auditing.

The NATO Innovation Hub has been developing and spreading Open Innovation best practices and tools within the Alliance since 2012. Its mission is to enable NATO to adapt and respond to emerging challenges by delivering recommendations and experimental solutions that provide significant value to users and prefiguring potential military capabilities.  

The NATO Innovation Hub works closely with partners from academia and industry to keep us abreast of private sector innovations so as to bring those solutions to the attention of Allies and partners.

Lieutenant-colonel Thorsten Ritter

Innovation Branch head, NATO

NATO NI2CE Messenger builds on Matrix.

Addressing the issues caused by consumer messaging apps...

NATO NI2CE Messenger looks to capture the convenience and ease of use of consumer messaging apps.

End-user privacy.

Secure communication.

Interoperability between systems.

Reliability.

Corporate control and oversight.

Administrative controls.

A messenger for NATO and its members.

How NI2CE operates.

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