New Intrusion-Resistant Virtualized Adaptive Network Architecture (NIRVANA)

ABSTRACT: With increased connectivity and integration with other DoD networks the threat of cyber attacks on space operations assets has become significant. Hence, the Air Force has identified a need to protect satellite operations centers (SOCs) from cyber attacks for mission assurance. Architecture Technology Corporation (ATC), as part of its Phase I effort, successfully established the feasibility of an innovative approach called NIRVANA (New Intrusion-Resistant Virtualized Adaptive Network Architecture) that protects enterprise networks from distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks in real-time. During the Phase II effort, ATC will build a prototype version of the NIRVANA computer network defense (CND) appliance and demonstrate its operational effectiveness in meeting the cyber defense needs of DoD satellite operations centers (SOCs) as well as commercial enterprise networks. BENEFIT: The NIRVANA network appliance will directly address the cyber defense needs of on-going programs such as the SMC/SCNG Compatible Satellite Command and Control (or Compat) and the ORS Ground Systems Enterprise 2015. Furthermore, organizations such as NRO and NASA that are consolidating and modernizing their SOCs as well as the FAA that is migrating towards a SOA-based implementation of its air traffic control system would benefit from the NIRVANA appliance. The commercial marketplace for NIRVANA includes enterprises that rely on real-time, high-availability applications such as financial institutions, telecommunications companies, cloud service providers, and e-commerce sites.