Survivable and Secure Content Publishing and Distribution Systems (SSCUDS) for Military Operations

ABSTRACT: Content Distribution Systems (CDS) achieves significant success in commercial applications by applying a group of replica servers over the Internet to copy and distribute the content from origin servers effectively. To clone the success of CDS for military applications, two critical concerns must be addressed: survivability and security. In this research effort, IAI and its collaborators propose to develop a Survivable and Secure Content Distribution System (SS-CDS) for robust, secure and flexible content distribution over complex and dynamic tactical networks. The major advantages of SS-CDS include: 1) high survivability by minimizing the dependence of central servers; 2) a layered Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) model for content distribution and security services; 3) a security framework that accommodates standard security solutions as well as computational and communicational light-weight security mechanisms; 3) robust handling mechanism to support node dynamics; 4) semantic model for service description situational awareness with respect to the operational environment, mission, and supporting network infrastructure. In Phase I, we have designed the system architecture and performed feasibility studies. In Phase II, we will implement a system prototype and test the system in terms of efficiency, scalability and robustness. BENEFIT: We anticipate that by the end of our Phase II effort we will have matured SS-CDS sufficiently and we will be able to demonstrate its functions to evaluate the near real-world use of content distribution. The system is capable of operating over heterogeneous dynamic networks with disconnected, intermittent and limited communications and meets military security requirements. The commercial market of SS-CDS is huge. With enterprise and personal computing platforms becoming more mobile, the demand for survivable and secure content distribution solution is significant. SS-CDS can be used by all companies and organizations interested in secure content distribution over dynamic and mobile networks. Its potential market size is large and its possible customers are innumerable.