Information Systems Security Program

Abstract

The Information Systems Security Program (ISSP) Element provides cradle-to-grave research, development, acquisitions, supply, sustainment, depot maintenance, and demilitarization of the Air Force (AF) cryptographic and key distribution/management systems (known as the Key Management Enterprise (KME)). Additionally, ISSP funds the AF operation of its AF KME, one of two Department of Defense (DoD) Tier 1 key distribution centers. ISSP delivers on rising national, DoD, and AF priorities to address cybersecurity threats and increasing warfighter dependence on cyberspace. The AF and the DoD require the capability to secure, collect, process, store, and disseminate an uninterrupted flow of information, while denying an adversary the ability to intercept, collect, destroy, interpret, or manipulate our information flows. Secure communication allows the DoD to achieve and maintain decision superiority, the key to successful application of the military instrument of national power in modern, high-tempo, full spectrum operations. AF Communications Security (COMSEC) equipment protects information such as warfighter positions, mission planning, target strikes, commanders' orders, intelligence, force strength, and force readiness and ensures adversaries cannot interpret, manipulate, or destroy information. When an adversary is capable of interpretation, manipulation, or destruction of the information used by the warfighter, DoD military forces will suffer significant and/or devastating mission degradation that can result in loss of life and resources and/or exceptionally grave damage to national security. The overall focus of the Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) efforts within this program is to transform electronic key delivery and cryptographic devices to meet the next generation warfighting requirements. These efforts are driven by the National Security Agency's (NSA) mandates to address decertifications, new requirements, and end of life issues. NSA’s first tenet calls for an AF KME that permits a totally "man-out-of-the-loop" electronic crypto key distribution system from the generation of the key in the key processor all the way into the using End Crypto Unit (ECU). This eliminates the current key vulnerability of compromise/interruption by individuals transporting or loading the key. NSA's second tenet requires an inventory of cryptographic devices that are more robust, modular, scalable, capable, net-centric, and durable. This enables more effective and efficient performance including reduced inventory, expanded data rates, simplified upgrades, lower life cycle costs, and ensured global information grid-compatibility. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development, as these budget activities include development efforts, including the AF KME, to upgrade systems currently fielded or have 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, 2018
• Source ID: 0303140F_7_3600_PB_2018
• Change Summary Explanation: Increase in FY18 funding to support crypto modernization requirements.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• C4I
• Cyber
• Energy and Power Technologies
• Human Systems
• Space
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Aerospace Craft
• Air Force
• Application Software
• Business Administration
• Command And Control
• Command Control Communications And Computer Systems
• Department Of Defense
• Information Assurance
• Information Systems
• National Security
• Network Protocols
• Software Development
• Supply Chain
• Systems Engineering
• Test And Evaluation
• Vehicle Equipment

Fields of Study

• Computer science

Readers

• Cybersecurity.
• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.

Technology Areas

• Cyber
• Microelectronics