Cyber Hardening and Agility Technologies for Tactical IP Networks (CHATTIN)

ABSTRACT:To enable mission assured operations of aerial IP networks in a hostile cyber threat environment, the Air Force has identified the need for cyber defense technologies which will thwart such cyber attacks on these networks preemptively, i.e., before they are launched by the adversary. To address this need, Architecture Technology Corporation (ATC) proposes Cyber Hardening and Agility Technologies for Tactical IP Networks (CHATTIN), a software product which implements a collection of innovative cyber hardening and agility techniques. CHATTIN proactively protects tactical IP networks by avoiding cyber attacks using a strategy akin to the anti-access and area denial strategy used by the military to deter enemies. Currently, vulnerabilities within tactical IP networks present an easy target for our adversaries to conduct cyber operations and achieve devastating effort at low cost. CHATTIN will reverse this asymmetry that currently favors our adversaries by making it prohibitively expensive and difficult for them to conduct cyber operations on tactical IP networks. The Phase I effort will develop the detailed design of the CHATTIN product and establish its effectiveness and implementation feasibility.BENEFIT:IP-based wideband tactical radio waveforms such as TTNT, SRW, CDL, and MUOS are becoming an integral part of Air Force battlefield networks. CHATTIN will directly address the cyber security needs of these tactical IP networks. CHATTIN also addresses the cyber defense needs of the Joint Aerial Layer Network envisioned by the Air Force and well as the needs of AFRLs Aerial Layer Networking program. The Armys WIN-T network and the Navys ADNS are all IP enabled tactical networks which are currently operational and are attractive targets for CHATTIN also. The initial non-military market for CHATTIN would be in public safety, first response, and disaster relief, for providing a secure and reliable tactical communications infrastructure. Beyond that, other emerging commercial markets for CHATTIN include vehicular ad hoc networks and the Internet of Things (IoT).