Secure Computing Infrastructure Technologies

The proposed SBIR Phase I effort will produce a model to be used to accurately estimate the cost of securing the network infrastructure throughout the weapons system life cycle. The model will use the Work Breakdown Structure as its underlying basis to identify the costs involved. When appropriate, models like COCOMO will be used to predict costs for work packages. The model will be developed using the proven USC seven-step model building process. It will rely on experts to provide the initial calibration. Consensus will be built using Delphi techniques. An Excel prototype of the model will be built during Phase I using calibration data collected for that purpose. This Phase I effort will verify our design concept via a demonstration. Model accuracy will be computed and shown to provide confidence in the model's estimating abilities. Our Phase II effort will demonstrate the concept more fully to potential users who are interested in using the model to estimate the costs of infrastructure security on their systems.