SBIR-STTR Award

Submarine tactical information systems consist of data networks of differing classifications which cannot be arbitrarily connected. Currently submarines manage these systems using period processing methods which require operators to clear the data from one network connection prior to connecting to other networks. Advances in data systems security in non-submarine environments have exhibited capabilities that could be implemented in submarine tactical networks. Current state of the art in data systems security has yet to be applied to submarine tactical networks which, due to the nature of the operating environment, must meet specific processor performance requirements, be reliable and stable, and must comply with Navy Open Architecture (NOA) standards. SOLUTE Consulting will leverage the work already in-progress on an Airborne MLS architecture and partner with the DoD leader in Multi-Level Security (MLS) technology, General Dynamics C4 Systems (GDC4S). By addressing five technical objectives, at the completion of a Phase I award SOLUTE will develop a minimum of three hardware and software architectures recommendations for use in a Phase II SBIR option. The five technical objectives are submarine MLS requirements, potential applications, security requirements, NOA requirements, and MLS architecture options.

Benefit:
A recent IDC report stated that the market for virtual sever management will grow by more than 21 percent, to $2.1 Billion, by 2013. This demand is the result of the need for IT departments to cut expenses while at the same time increase service levels. Despite the global recession and the reduction in spending on IT support, this is one that area that IDC believes will continue to grow. In addition, IT industry reports indicate that the virtualization market is moving from being purely a server consolidation tool and moving into areas such as disaster recovery, high availability, and business continuity. Significant investments are also being made in the development of desktop hypervisor solutions, including recent investments by Citrix in Virtual Computer, a developer of a client side hypervisor. In addition, with the increase emphasis on coalition operations and sharing of classified information through coalition networks, this technology will be immediately applicable in the development of solutions for both unit level ships and military operations centers worldwide.

Keywords:
High Assurance, High Assurance, Multi-level Security (MLS), Navy Open Architecture Standards, data segregation, submarine operations., Tactical Networks, Cross Domain Solution (CDS), Multiple Security Level (MSL)

Command and Control (C2) applications are currently provisioned through manual processes that must be tailored to the unique environment and configuration requirements of each individual installation site. The development of an automated application provisioning system would reduce the time and cost of deployment, leading to more rapid insertion of new capabilities. This research and development activity aims to develop a prototypical application publication and provisioning capability utilizing an Application Store model inspired the success of App Store / App Marketplace services in the commercial smart phone industry. The tactical network topology, open architecture environment, and application requirements, such as application architecture, configuration parameters, and data dependencies, will drive the architecture and implementation of the application provisioning system. Key characteristics of the application store architecture include dependency management; data dependencies, ingestion, identification, and search; application authorization; mission, task, and user application profiles; and over-the-air application installation. Prototyping activates will be supported by an Agile Software Development process. This effort is facilitated by the evolution of open architectures, open standards, and modular application development. The product of the Phase II will be C2 App Store supporting the publication, authorization, and automated installation / configuration of C2 Applications.

Benefit:
Command and Control (C2) applications are currently provisioned through manual processes that must be tailored to the unique environment of each individual installation site. Once the application is installed, it must be manually configured to support the particular end users requirements. These configurations are often depend on operational guidance that differs from fleet to fleet, or within the same fleet depending on the mission, task, or user consuming the application. This leads to laborious, complex, and time-consuming installation activities. Commercial industry has seen widespread adoption and success leveraging an Application Store model for application provisioning. In this model, modular applications are deployed to an application store when consumers can initiate over the air installation of new or updated applications. Enterprise Application Stores also support authorization models that describe which users are able to access which applications. Additionally, application profiles allow for enterprise administrators to customize the application as it is being installed depending on the end users context. This research and development activity aims to develop a prototypical application publication and provisioning capability inspired by commercial industry to support rapid capability deployment in an App Store 0x9D model. The development of an automated application provisioning system will reduce the time and cost of installation and configuration, leading to a more rapid insertion of new capabilities. The App Store infrastructure will become the main mechanism by which applications are published and consumed. Technology transition and commercialization will occur on two fronts. First, the App Store itself will be commercialized as a core Platform as a Service capability. Second, the application packaging mechanism will be made available to the various application providers to leverage during application development. The App Store will permeate all participant of the application delivery community. Furthermore, the technology will have widespread applicability outside of the U.S. Navy C2 community. Other DoD, federal, and commercial organizations developing applications requiring automated provisioning would benefit from the advancement of an available App Store service and packaging toolkit.

Keywords:
C2 Data Ingestion, Application Provisioning, Cloud Application Deployment, Application Store, Application Profiles, Singular Object Identification