Secure Agent Based Platform for Computer Network Defense

The threat of cyber-attack comes from many sources. Sophisticated attack software, novice hackers, and foreign operatives recruiting dissatisfied individuals within an organization to compromise system operations. Because inside attackers have legitimate access to privileged system resources, their activities can be particularly malicious, going beyond intrusion, theft, or destruction of data. A sophisticated cyber-terrorist with access to an inadequately protected system will have near real-time command and control over the system. When under attack, all aspects of the network are vulnerable, including the base platform on which Computer Network Operations (CNO) applications are built. It is imperative that the government provide the best platform solution possible in order to ensure the successful development and deployment of CNO applications. In this Phase II SBIR proposal, Sentar presents plans for developing a Secure Agent Based Platform (SAB) technology prototype focused on Computer Network Defense (CND) for systems like the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD). The SAB-CND will ensure the successful development and deployment of CNO applications by providing an autonomic enabled platform capable of monitoring, defending, and healing itself while maintaining a secure operational environment. Sentar has teamed with SYColeman, and the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) for this Phase II effort.