Rapid Acquisition and Fielding for Information Assurance and Cyber Security in the Navy

Abstract

This report focuses on a single analytical question: How can the information technology (IT) acquisition process best support the mission of the U.S. Navy s Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (PEO C4I) with regard to computer network defense (CND) programs of record? Identifying an agile and adaptable acquisition process that can field new IT capabilities and services in relatively short and responsive time frames to provide capabilities to secure the cyber domain, assure end-to-end information and enable decision superiority is a pressing issue for the Navy. Cyber threats, such as viruses and worms, can wreak havoc on computer networks, swiftly mutating on a daily basis. A quick response to these threats is not just desirable it is critical. The Navy s Program Manager, Warfare (PMW) 130, an office within PEO C4I that is focused on rapidly and proactively fielding innovative capabilities to stay ahead of cyber threats, anticipates needing an acquisition and fielding cycle that can deliver hardware security products within 12 18 months, software security products within six to 12 months, and incremental development for both hardware and software every three months. These time frames are very expeditious when compared with the Navy s traditional acquisition cycle time, which can take 36 months from concept approval to initial operational capability (IOC) or eight to ten years for full operational capability (FOC). The traditional acquisition process, as it now exists, needs to be accelerated in response to the unique demands of IT and especially in addressing emerging cyber threats. The RAND National Defense Research Institute was asked to recommend a streamlined acquisition process that supports PMW 130 goals to field innovative capabilities in a way that is sufficiently rapid and proactive to ensure that the Navy stays ahead of the cyber threat.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2012
Accession Number
ADA573327

Entities

People

  • Bob Murphy
  • Elliot Axelband
  • Isaac R. Porche Iii
  • Kate Giglio
  • Megan Mckerman
  • Robert W. Button
  • Shawn Mckay

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Business Administration
  • Computer Networks
  • Computer Programming
  • Computers
  • Cyberattacks
  • Cyberspace Operations
  • Information Systems
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Naval Operations
  • Naval Warfare
  • Navy
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Facilities
  • Unified Combatant Commands
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Cybersecurity.
  • Economics
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.

Technology Areas

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