Automated Cyber Defense for the USAF Network

The Air Force's network infrastructure is under constant threat, demanding more advanced defenses than traditional, manual methods. With increased reliance on third-party suppliers and international partners, the attack surface expands, endangering critical supply chains. The Air Force's Agile Combat Employment (ACE) framework expands the attack surface, requiring a secure network of partners. Current security approaches often leave systems vulnerable to sophisticated attacks. Additionally, the US Federal government's mandate to transition to IPv6-only environments by the end of FY 2025 poses a challenge, as there is a lack of automated IPv6 network mapping tools. The vastness of the IPv6 address space makes traditional scanning ineffective, and manual asset lists are inefficient and error-prone. To address these challenges, SixMap proposes a solution using Computational Mapping (CM) and Automated Network Management and Defense (ANMD). SixMap automates the discovery of IT assets across the AF.MIL network, providing real-time awareness of cyber terrain and identifying vulnerabilities. This facilitates rapid deployment, scalability, and adaptability. SixMap's platform delivers global visibility into cyber postures, supporting the ACE framework by securing partner networks. It enables proactive threat mitigation by providing an adversary-centric perspective, automating vulnerability prioritization based on threat intelligence for IPv4, dual-stack, and IPv6 configurations.