Tudor B.

Pioneering Quality Assurance with NATO’s Communications and Information Agency’s Seal of Approval

BetterQA earns NATO NCIA seal of approval. Trusted for defense and government software testing.

Overview

BetterQA has earned NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) Basic Order Agreement holder status, recognizing our commitment to information security, quality management, and operational excellence. This approval positions us to deliver software testing services for defense sector projects requiring the highest security and quality standards.

1JGAL
NCAGE Code

ISO 27001
Certified

50+
QA Engineers

Key Concepts

What NATO NCIA approval means for software testing

NATO NCIA approval represents one of the most rigorous vendor qualification processes in the defense sector. Organizations holding Basic Order Agreement (BOA) status have demonstrated compliance with NATO security requirements, quality management standards, and the operational capacity to support alliance missions. For software testing providers, this certification validates the ability to handle security-sensitive systems, maintain information assurance protocols, and deliver quality services under strict governance frameworks.

Requirement 01

Security clearance protocols

Personnel security screening, facility access controls, and classified information handling procedures aligned with NATO security policy.

Requirement 02

Information assurance

ISO 27001 certification demonstrating comprehensive information security management across all testing operations and data handling.

Requirement 03

Quality management

Documented processes for test planning, execution, defect tracking, and continuous improvement aligned with defense sector requirements.

Methodology

The journey to NATO NCIA approval

Achieving NATO NCIA Basic Order Agreement holder status required comprehensive preparation across security, quality, and operational domains. The process validated BetterQA’s existing ISO certifications, security practices, and demonstrated our capacity to meet defense sector requirements.

ISO 27001 certification

Established comprehensive information security management system (ISMS) covering risk assessment, access controls, incident response, and continuous monitoring. This certification formed the foundation for NATO security requirements.

Security audit and facility assessment

Underwent thorough evaluation of physical security controls, personnel screening procedures, and classified information handling protocols. Implemented additional safeguards for defense sector work environments.

Process documentation and compliance

Documented quality assurance methodologies, test management workflows, and defect tracking procedures. Aligned all processes with NATO quality standards and established audit trails for accountability.

NCAGE registration and BOA approval

Received NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) code 1JGAL, completing registration in the NATO Support and Procurement Agency system. Final approval granted Basic Order Agreement holder status.

Capabilities

What this means for clients

Capability	Standard projects	Defense sector projects
Security clearance	Standard NDA and confidentiality	NATO-approved personnel screening and security clearances
Data handling	ISO 27001 information security	Classified information protocols aligned with NATO security policy
Quality standards	Industry best practices and ISO 9001	Defense sector quality management with full audit trails
Compliance	GDPR, industry regulations	NATO procurement rules, export controls, government contracts

Key benefit

Organizations working on defense sector contracts, government projects, or security-sensitive systems can now engage BetterQA with confidence that we meet NATO-level security and quality requirements.

Our Approach

How BetterQA delivers security-focused testing

Our team of 50+ QA engineers operates within a framework designed for security-sensitive environments. We maintain strict separation between projects, implement need-to-know access controls, and use secure testing infrastructure isolated from public networks. Every engineer undergoes background screening and security awareness training aligned with defense sector requirements.

For test management and defect tracking, we deploy BugBoard in secure configurations that support classified information handling and audit logging. Our test automation platform Flows runs within client-controlled environments, ensuring test data never leaves approved networks. Security testing capabilities include penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and compliance validation against defense sector standards.

We maintain continuous compliance through regular security audits, process reviews, and staff training. Our ISO 27001 certification undergoes annual surveillance audits, while NATO-specific requirements receive ongoing validation. This ensures we remain current with evolving security standards and operational requirements.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is NATO NCIA approval and why does it matter for software testing?

NATO NCIA approval qualifies vendors to provide services under NATO procurement frameworks. For software testing, this certification validates security clearance procedures, information assurance practices, and quality management aligned with defense sector requirements. It enables BetterQA to support government contracts and security-sensitive projects requiring NATO-level standards.

Do all BetterQA engineers have security clearances?

All engineers undergo background screening and security awareness training. For projects requiring security clearances, we assign personnel who hold appropriate clearances or initiate the clearance process based on project requirements. We maintain separate teams for classified work with strict access controls.

Can BetterQA handle classified information and defense sector contracts?

Yes. Our NATO NCIA approval and ISO 27001 certification establish the framework for handling classified information. We implement physical security controls, personnel screening, secure facilities, and information handling procedures aligned with NATO security policy. Project-specific requirements are assessed during initial engagement.

How does NATO approval affect BetterQA’s standard commercial testing services?

NATO approval enhances all our services by demonstrating the highest security and quality standards. Commercial clients benefit from the same rigorous processes, information security controls, and quality management that satisfy defense sector requirements. We maintain the same testing methodologies and tools across all projects, scaled appropriately to project security requirements.