CIRRUS: Secure Cloud Computing Environment for Infrared (IR) Data

ABSTRACT: CIRRUS is an innovative marriage of cloud computing and state-of-the-art compression methods to develop a secure cloud computing environment for providing Infrared (IR) space surveillance data to warfighters via a high bandwidth constrained channel (56k). CIRRUS works by partitioning images and distributing the resulting segments, known as chips throughout the high performance portions of the cloud. This allows us to perform processing tasks such as compression and encryption at the data node optimally. Downloads start with the first available chip, further reducing time to retrieve any particular image. In addition, CIRRUS incorporates several novel algorithms including: 1) a method to find images with important features without downloading the entire image set, 2) an approach to better match the operational need and reduce overall bandwidth requirements, and 3) a method that can reduce the required bandwidth by identifying which parts of an image could be provided as lossy. These algorithms will serve to facilitate faster data downloads and provide an example of how the architecture can be extended with future image processing features. These capabilities will be integrated in a CIRRUS prototype to demonstrate the performance, security, feasibility and failover capabilities of a cloud computing architecture. BENEFIT: CIRRUS solves the topics IR compression and standards/security compliance problem with cost-effective, proven technologies. It is applicable to similar needs across myriad government and commercial organizations. CIRRUS has enormous benefits any time a small portion of a massive image dataset is needed for rapid, on-the-fly application in the field. Analysis and visualization can be provided to a bandwidth constrained device and could help: precision agriculture, construction, the medical community and first responders, and telecommunications just to name a few. The general explosion in cloud computing market growth will result in more target platforms on which to run CIRRUS and more target applications that could use CIRRUS services.