AF Key Management Infrastructure (AF KMI)
Abstract
The Air Force Key Management Infrastructure (AF KMI) Program consists of multiple developments supporting the AF requirements/portion of the DoD Key Management Infrastructure (KMI). (The National Security Agency [NSA] acts as the Executive Agency for the DoD KMI Program.) AF KMI, in concert with this overarching DoD KMI Program, will provide a secure and flexible capability for the electronic generation, distribution, accounting, and management of key material and other communications security (COMSEC) materials for all DoD Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) and for the Services' weapon systems. KMI represents a broad-scale replacement of the current Electronic Key Management System (EKMS). KMI will provide capabilities that will allow networked operation in consonance with the Global Information Grid (GIG) and other DoD, fellow Service, and AF enterprise objectives. It thereby will assure a viable support infrastructure for future weapons and C4I programs to incorporate key management into their system designs. The DoD KMI will greatly improve protection of national, security-related information by substantially enhancing confidentiality, integrity, and non-repudiation characteristics over the legacy EKMS. KMI will greatly accelerate the availability of crypto key materials through electronic transmission versus shipping of materials, will enhance mission responsiveness and flexibility, and will eventually take the man "out-of-the-loop" in the distribution of crypto key materials. The AF KMI Program in concert with the DoD KMI Program is transitioning the Air Force from the legacy EKMS to modern DoD KMI and building the AF KMI Last Mile architecture. This R&D effort includes system engineering and testing to successfully accomplish the transition and defining of the AF KMI Last Mile architecture. AF KMI Transition is supporting the DoD KMI program as it progresses through the development, testing, and production and fielding phase of the DoD KMI Program. AF KMI efforts includes the transitioning of existing key management capabilities to KMI. Re-engineering of repair parts may be required. The AF KMI Last Mile program is a holistic solution integrating the legacy and new and evolving cryptographic programs, materials, products, sources and consumers. The AF KMI Last Mile capabilities include distribution, management, and load of cryptographic materials from the KMI (COMSEC account) to the End Crypto Units (ECUs). It builds the linkage interfaces that will allow KMI systems to communicate and integrates other related developments to meet operational needs. AF KMI Last Mile is currently performing early system engineering and risk reduction activities supporting those capabilities including analysis of existing equipment and developing technologies, concept refinement studies, and prototyping of existing technologies. Activities also include studies and analysis to support both current program planning and execution and future program planning. In parallel with AFKMI, DoD and the Services are developing a new generation of End Crypto Units (ECUs) under the Joint Crypto Modernization Initiative that will be capable of direct interaction with the KMI. (PE0303140F, BPAC 675100, Cryptographic Modernization, supports this initiative). In some cases these new ECUs, although needing to be supported by KMI, will not be KMI network-connected. "Last mile" transport of black (aka benign, or encrypted) and red (unencrypted) keying material from a KMI client to a new generation ECU or current legacy ECU will need to be handled in the early years by one of two data transfer devices. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development, these budget activities include development efforts to upgrade systems currently fielded or has approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2014
- Source ID
- 675231_0303140F_7_3600_PB_2014
Related Documents
- Root: Information Systems Security Program
- Child Accomplishment: Key Management Infrastructure Transition
- Child Accomplishment: Air Force KMI "Last Mile"
- Child Accomplishment: Program Management Administration
- Child Cost Item: 7b5ba780fabb6b0cbe1314f06cd3ddac
- Child Cost Item: 920120bc9db188603b54f8c3c186c5e9
- Child Cost Item: 419b7ce78f37640240d88ed8b571252d
- Child Cost Item: aba52c249c92bc26e3168c3261ab5736
- Child Cost Item: ce6872708f449873ac15622b3c2c2347
- Child Cost Item: 1e0854517ff243a0ca3736e37d7814a7
- Child Cost Item: b1da214c81b78f7df9499dc3dee386d1