Air Force seeks modular crypto solutions to save time and money in information security

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass., 19 Aug 2013. U.S. Air Force researchers are asking for industry's help to determine if modular cryptographic systems could be developed that would save time and money in military information security systems.

Officials of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Electronic Systems Development Division at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., last week issued a request for information for the Modular Common Crypto Solution program.

The Air Force’s need for ubiquitous cryptographic capabilities, and the service's existing broad range of crypto solutions, raises the need for modular cryptographic solutions not only within the Air Force, but also across other services and U.S. allies, researchers say.

Historically, cryptographic devices have been purpose-built, and algorithms, performance, size, weight, and power (SWaP) are specified for each system, Air Force officials explain.

Design of cryptography is driven by individual programs, rather than by a big-picture approach that would consider the needs of the Air Force or U.S. military forces in general. The result has been stovepipe cryptographic solutions with long and expensive acquisition life cycles.

This approach no longer is acceptable, given the Pentagon's tight budgets, as well as the inefficiency of stovepipe solutions. Instead, he Air Force wants modular cryptographic capabilities that could serve as common building blocks for more efficient cryptographic solutions.

The Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., is the service's lead organization for cryptographic solutions. Its leaders have asked the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Electronic Systems Development Division at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., to study military common modular cryptographic systems.

Of particular interest are concepts that would serve as cryptographic solutions for several physical domains; simplify cryptography; keep the number of cryptographic devices to a minimum; and that simplify cryptographic evolution. Efforts will focus on developing modular next-generation cryptographic solutions that make business sense.

This effort will determine the feasibility of modularizing cryptographic solutions that can support several physical domains and layers, such as air, space, and land forces.

Proposed solutions should address modularity in computer hardware, software, emerging standards, algorithm support, and logistical support. Examples include cryptographic applications and communications that support inline network encryptors for secure IP networking, data-at-rest, tactical data link encryption, telemetry, tracking and commanding (TT&C) security of ground operating equipment, mobile platforms, and information assurance.

Those responding should answer these questions:

-- How could modularity help the cryptographic system life cycle?
-- In the cryptographic system life cycle, what are the greatest factors that influence cost, schedule and performance?
-- How could modularity hurt each phase of the cryptographic system life cycle, and what would be its greatest hindrances?
-- What commercial standards could influence future Air Force cryptographic systems?
-- How could software-based encryption replace hardware-based encryption?
-- What are the components of a cryptographic system that could block efforts to move forward?
-- What cryptographic requirements could block an inter-domain solution?
-- What requirements could be relaxed?
-- Is it feasible to develop one cryptographic system to support several physical domains and layers?
-- What elements of a modular cryptographic system’s life cycle would be the most technically challenging? and
-- What decisions would the Air Force have to make to improve life cycle cost and speed implementation?

All responses should be unclassified. Companies interested should email the Air Force's James Bertone at [email protected], or Curt DeVries at [email protected] no later than 12 Sept. 2013.

More information is online at https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/ESC/NGCRFI20130813/listing.html.