Secure and Resilient Data Integrity and Access Control System for Naval Operations Using Hybrid Blockchain and NDN Architecture

To address the critical need for secure and resilient data transmission in military and defense communications, this proposal outlines the development of the SENTRY system, a robust architecture designed for Disconnected, Disrupted, Intermittent, and Limited (DDIL) environments. The system integrates a hybrid blockchain (permissioned and permissionless) with Named Data Networking (NDN) to ensure robust data integrity, access control, and seamless synchronization across distributed nodes. Built on mature technologies such as blockchain and NDN, our solution leverages IFT's extensive R&D experience in blockchain, security, and NDN networking. This foundation allows us to focus on adaptation and integration rather than heavy development, drawing on existing successful projects to accelerate the implementation of our solution. Key components include the DDIL Adapter for adaptive connectivity management, a Sync Manager for data consistency, and a Self-Healing Module combined with Conflict Resolution Engine to address node failures and network partitions. The proposed solution also incorporates a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and blockchain-based identity management system for secure node authentication. This innovative approach will enhance the resilience of critical communications, enabling the U.S. Navy and other defense agencies to maintain secure and reliable operations even under challenging network conditions.