Fight-Through Nodes (FTN)

ABSTRACT: Despite existing security efforts, DoD networks are susceptible to attack and compromise. For critical missions, it is necessary to"fight through"cyber attacks in order to achieve mission objectives. Such a"survivable"network would be capable of carrying on (in a perhaps degraded state) during an attack, continuing to provide critical services. Because human reaction times are very slow in comparison to the speed of cyber attacks, survivable systems require an automated response capability, so the network can dynamically respond to threats. The ATC-NY team will create the Fight-Through Node (FTN), a combined hardware/software system to enhance existing networks with survivability properties. Fight-Through Nodes are designed to replace nodes hosting mission-critical services in a network. Networks equipped with FTNs will be resilient, enabling critical processes to operate despite attacks on the node or impacts on other parts of the network. The methods used to achieve these capabilities include automation, redundancy, sandboxing, synchronization, checkpointing, and restoration. BENEFIT: As the DoD and private enterprise rely ever more heavily on their information systems, the frequency and sophistication of cyber attacks continues to rise. ATC-NY"s Fight-Through Nodes (FTNs) will improve the survivability of a network"s critical server nodes, making it possible to fight through cyber attacks. Rather than being disabled by such attacks, servers providing mission-critical services will continue to operate in spite of the attack. The DoD can use FTNs to replace critical nodes on Mission Assurance Category (MAC) I, II, and III DoD information systems. The mission assurance provided by FTNs will also appeal to critical infrastructure enterprises (e.g., utilities, health care, financial, transportation).