SBIR-STTR Award

The Navys objective is to develop an architecture that automates capabilities within NCS to minimize operator-associated cybersecurity vulnerabilities and streamline rapid fielding of modular capability updates. The solution involves automating the installation, configuration, application deployment, auditing, and reporting of system status within a complex NCS. Our proposed solution incorporates modern technology and technology practices so the Navy can frequently, repeatably, and securely introduce modular capability updates to respond more rapidly to evolving threats and mission needs. The Phase I technical effort focuses on proving the feasibility of the specific concepts needed to achieve the Navys objective. The Phase I technical objectives address the three specific objectives needed to meet the Navys overall objective: Develop automation to reduce operator involvement in the installation process. Develop an architectural construct to decrease the risk of the installation process. Develop auditing to provide assurance of the correctness of the installation process and updates. We have a team with the expertise and domain knowledge in modern technology and technology practices, Navy systems, and other industry implementations of our proposed concepts.

Benefit:
Our proposed solution includes capabilities to automate the installation, configuration, application deployment, auditing, and reporting of system status within a complex environment. Increasing automation increases consistency, reduces effort and errors, shortens cycle times, and reduces the amount of technical expertise required by personnel to make updates. Achieving this objective gives an organization the ability to deploy incremental capability improvements to remote locations frequently, repeatably, and securely while preserving (and even strengthening) cybersecurity and safety. When implemented, the solution accomplishes three specific objectives: Reduce operator involvement in the installation process. Decrease the risk of the installation process. Provide assurance of the correctness of the installation process and updates. The market for solutions like the one were proposing for the Navy is large and varied. Any use case involving the deployment of software to a remote physical location, device, or platform has potential to benefit from the proposed solution. Installation could occur either from media or via software-over-the-air. These use cases exist in both DoD and numerous industries in the private sector, such as automotive, building management, and manufacturing.

Keywords:
Audit, Audit, provisioning, DevOps, Automation