Joint Mission Environment Test Capability National Cyber Range (NCR) Complex
Abstract
In FY 2013, responsibility for the National Cyber Range (NCR) was transferred to the Test Resource Management Center (TRMC) and subsequently aligned under the Joint Mission Environment Test Capability (JMETC) Program Element. Since then, the NCR has executed 200+ events for DOD Customers. The NCR provides secure facilities, technology, processes, and workforce to rapidly create hi-fidelity, mission representative cyberspace environments and facilitate integration/federation of cyberspace test and evaluation (T&E) infrastructure in support of the TRMC Mission. The NCR is accredited to operate at TS//SI-G/TK/HCS-P//SAR. As a result of recent recapitalization and capacity enhancement efforts, the NCR now has the capability to support up to 8 concurrent events and scale up to ~250K virtual nodes. The NCR concurrently emulates complex (Red/Blue/Gray) operationally representative network environments at different classification levels using Multiple Independent Levels of Security (MILS) architecture. The NCR Test Automation Tool Suite minimizes human error, enables verification of test environment, ensures repeatable results and reduces event timelines from weeks/months to hours/days. NCR computing assets can be sanitized after exposure to malicious attacks/malware and restored to a known, clean state. The NCR conducts distributed events with other Cyberspace Ranges via the JMETC MILS Network (JMN) and Joint Information Operations Range (JIOR). The NCR conducts Cyberspace Testing, Training and Operational Events for the full spectrum of DoD Customers including Research, Development, Acquisition, Testing, Training and Operational Cyber Mission Forces. The NCR executes wide variety of event types including Science and Technology (S&T) Demonstrations, Developmental Test & Evaluation (DT&E), Operational Test & Evaluation (OT&E), Security Controls Assessments (SCA), Cyberspace Operations Training, Cyberspace Tactics, Techniques Procedures (TTP) Development, Forensics/Malware Analysis) and Cyberspace Operations Mission Rehearsal. The NCR enables acquisition programs to conduct Cybersecurity Test and Evaluation (T&E) in a representative Cyberspace Environment to identify and close exposed vulnerabilities, evaluate resiliency and positively impact program cost, schedule and performance. The NCR also supports Training and Certification of Cyber Mission Forces in support of US Cyber Command by enabling operational forces to efficiently evaluate cyber warfighting capability in a realistic joint mission environment. Finally, the NCR is supporting in real time Overseas Contingency Operations as directed by National Authority. In FY 2016, the Department, as a result of a study conducted by DASD(C3&CB), recognized the magnitude of need for increased cyber test and training capacity and capability. Based on this and other inputs, the Department made the decision to increase funding in the Test Resource Management Center (TRMC) in FY 17 to build out additional cyber T&E capacity based on the National Cyber Range (NCR) architecture. This increased capacity will also be available to conduct training for the Cyber Mission Force. The TRMC worked with the Services to identify facilities where this buildout could be accomplished most efficiently. They also considered additional criteria such as accessibility by acquisition programs, availability of qualified work force, utilities and network availability, timing, and expected cost. To date, TRMC and the Services have identified five sites that are potential candidates. We have begun design and cost estimation in FY17 so that we can begin detailed design and begin build-out in FY 18. Once complete, the Department will have well over four times the cyber test and training capacity offered by the current NCR. In addition, the JMETC NCR Complex supports the Executive Agent for DoD Cyber Test Ranges.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2019
- Source ID
- 088_0605100D8Z_6_0400_PB_2019
Related Documents
- Root: Joint Mission Environment Test Capability (JMETC)
- Child Accomplishment: Joint Mission Environment Test Capability NCR Sustainment