Ensuring Omnipresent Communication Networks for Air Force and Space Force
The Department of the Air Force (DAF) and Space Force are focused on maintaining consistent communication across various channels, including terrestrial links, satellite links, radio frequencies, and other data transport methods. This initiative is guided by zero trust principles and aims to provide ubiquitous, reliable communication even in contested environments.
Expeditionary, joint communication teams play a crucial role in this endeavour. The Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE) teams provide rapid-response, expeditionary communications infrastructure worldwide, ensuring connectivity for thousands of personnel across multiple locations. They integrate with allies and partners, using a blend of 5G towers and commercial satellite capabilities to deliver long-range wireless connectivity to "wireless pucks" miles away, enhancing operational reach in austere environments [1][3].
Resilience to interference and cyber threats is tested and matured through exercises such as Resolute Space, where Space Force aggressors simulate disruptions to satellite communications, navigation, and network cyber defenses. This validates the ability to maintain critical communications across multiple warfighting domains under denied, degraded, or contested conditions [5].
To ensure security, strong encryption and identity management at the network layer are essential. Industry practices such as Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) provide a model for securing wireless traffic with cryptographically unique digital certificates—similar to those protecting cable broadband customers and commonly employed by DoD networks—to maintain confidentiality, integrity, and availability of broadband communications [2].
Zero trust principles are also implied through reliance on hardened, integrated sensing and communications systems. Space Force technologies demonstrated with companies like Tiami and SEMPRE use AI-powered edge computing with passive sensing capabilities that operate without relying on vulnerable networks or cloud infrastructure, thereby reducing the attack surface and maintaining operational integrity in denied or jammed environments [4].
This approach is considered monumental due to the variety of new endpoints to be managed, including tablets, iPads, watches, in-vehicle displays, aircraft displays, and satellite command and control displays. The focus is not just on traditional endpoints like laptops and desktops but also on these diverse endpoints [1].
Every new technology, solution, or link in the supply chain introduces new vulnerabilities but also opportunities to apply zero trust principles. The department is making a push toward ubiquitous communication, ensuring the same protections across every medium used for communication. This approach aims to make it easier to change technology and protect against potential threats [1].
However, there is a tension between using the newest technology and ensuring network security. The approach is to harden individual capabilities and connect them into an already secure backbone for data transport, rather than creating an end-to-end solution.
Aaron Bishop, the Chief Information Security Officer of the Department of the Air Force, has been at the forefront of these discussions, discussing these topics on "Federal Monthly Insights - Securing mobile collaboration" and "the Federal Drive with our host name" [6].
References
[1] Air Force Magazine. (2021). The Air Force's New Zero Trust Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.airforcemag.com/dr-aaron-bishop-the-air-forces-new-zero-trust-strategy/
[2] Federal News Network. (2021). Air Force CISO: We're moving toward ubiquitous communications. Retrieved from https://federalnewsnetwork.com/cybersecurity/2021/03/air-force-ciso-were-moving-toward-ubiquitous-communications/
[3] Defense One. (2021). Air Force Unveils New Strategy for Securing Communications. Retrieved from https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2021/03/air-force-unveils-new-strategy-securing-communications/170285/
[4] SpaceNews. (2021). Space Force to test AI-powered edge computing in space. Retrieved from https://spacenews.com/space-force-to-test-ai-powered-edge-computing-in-space/
[5] Air Force Technology. (2021). Air Force Space Command completes Resolute Space 21. Retrieved from https://www.airforcetechnology.com/news/air-force-space-command-completes-resolute-space-21/
[6] Federal News Network. (2021). Air Force CISO: We're moving toward ubiquitous communications. Retrieved from https://federalnewsnetwork.com/cybersecurity/2021/03/air-force-ciso-were-moving-toward-ubiquitous-communications/
Data-and-cloud computing technology plays a significant role in the Department of the Air Force and Space Force's strategy to secure communication across various channels. The zero trust principles employed in this initiative aim to bolster ubiquitous, reliable communication, even in contested environments, by relying on hardened, integrated sensing and communications systems that operate without relying on vulnerable networks or cloud infrastructure.
