AF Defensive Cyberspace Operations

Abstract

AF Defensive Cyberspace Operations (AF DCO) consists of three distinct efforts: the Firestarter effort (BPAC 677820), activities to adapt legacy cyber weapon systems to the new IDCS (BPAC 677821 and 6771822), the Integrated Defensive Cyberspace System (IDCS) (BPAC 677823). Together these efforts provide defensive cyber capabilities that protect the AFNET and DoD network enclaves, to include their associated computer systems, software applications and sensitive operational information against unauthorized intrusion, corruption, and/or destruction. The IDCS also provides visibility and situational awareness of the cyber terrain to local commanders and senior leaders. The emphasis of the combined program is directed toward defensive cyberspace capabilities, computer and network systems security, damage assessment and recovery, cyber threat recognition, attribution, and mitigation, and active response methodologies in response to evolving threats and changes to cyber environment. These areas of emphasis are realized through continuous software development, research and development, test and system acquisition in the areas of proactive defense, defensive counter cyberspace, cyberspace intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, command and control situational awareness, persistent network operations, as well as decision support, recovery, and digital forensics. IDCS will provide the modular hardware and cloud-based containerized software from which to execute the Cyberspace Vulnerability Assessment/Hunter (CVA/H), Air Force Cyber Defense (ACD), and Cyber Defense Analysis (CDA) missions. IDCS will equip USAF operational units, predominantly Mission Defense Teams, and network defenders with the capabilities required to monitor and protect USAF networks, Control Systems and Weapon Systems. IDCS will serve the Total Force - Active Duty (AD), Air National Guard (ANG), and Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC). IDCS will enable operations by monitoring, collecting, analyzing, and reporting on sensitive information released from friendly unclassified systems, such as computer networks, telephones, email, and USAF websites. IDCS will be used to conduct vulnerability assessments, network intrusion analysis, systems vulnerability analysis, and enable protection against the advanced persistent threat. The system will be deployed at all levels of classification, beginning at Unclassified and Secret enclaves and expanding to higher levels. The significant increase in RDT&E funding requested for this portfolio reflects the development activity required to transform AF Defensive Cyber to meet the urgent need to deploy modernized, interconnected cyber defenses in the Pacific theater in the near term to deter aggression. Activities also include various Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS) and Program Management Administration (PMA) activities to support the aforementioned development efforts. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. In FY22 0.310M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element and in FY23 0.787M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2024
• Source ID: 0208088F_7_3600_PB_2024
• Change Summary Explanation: In FY24, the DAF added 105.759M to develop IDCS, which will defend AF networks against more complex and capable cyber threats from China, the US's pacing challenge, Russia, and other state actors. FY23 -8.367M Congressional Directed Reduction: The FY23 Appropriation Law cited this amount as a "programming error." FY23 9.508M Congressional Directed Transfer: Transfer from line 282, Air Force Defensive Cyber Systems (AFDCS) - Software Pilot Program in accordance with the FY23 Appropriation Law. FY23 -0.699 Other Adjustments is for FFRDC Reductions FY22 3.658M Reprogramming: In FY22, 0208088F received a Below Threshold Reprogramming to modernize its Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipeline and accelerate software deliveries of operational capabilities.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Cyber

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Air Force Research Laboratories
• Application Software
• Artificial Intelligence
• Big Data
• Command And Control
• Computer Networks
• Computers
• Control Systems
• Cyber Defense Techniques
• Cyber Protection
• Cyber Threats
• Cyberattacks
• Cybersecurity
• Cyberspace Operations
• Data Analysis
• Department Of Homeland Security
• Information Systems

Fields of Study

• Computer science

Readers

• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
• Cybersecurity.

Technology Areas

• Cyber
• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control