New Cloud Tech Brings Secret Networks to the Edge of Combat

Video Above: DARPA Approaches Massive New AI, Machine Learning “Breakthrough”

By Kris Osborn – Warrior Maven

–When a forward operating unit is taking casualties from heavy incoming fire real-time intelligence data can of course, in a matter of seconds, decide the difference between life or death… victory and defeat —

(Washington, D.C.) — If a US Army infantry unit, engaged in massive mechanized warfare, were suddenly ambushed by a large number of enemy fighters attacking from multiple angles — location information or intelligence about air support would hinge almost entirely upon timely access to information.

This would be of particular relevance to dispersed, mobile, dismounted units in combat relying to a large extent upon hand-held devices… or small boats, fighter jets and other combat “nodes” needing access vital secret information while in transit.

Given all these variables, what would it mean to have instantaneous access to secure commercial cloud technology during heavy combat? At the tip of the spear? Most of all, could there be a technology able to perform this cloud-centered data-sharing function — while reliably maintaining the security of classified information?

“Pushing capability into cloud infrastructure, if done securely, will make where you are or whether you are in transit less important but will enable analytics to create a better understanding as to what is happening in real time and also enable better information sharing,” (Ret.) Lt. Gen. Alan Lynn, Vice President of Engineering, Cisco — and former Defense Information Systems Agency, DISA director — told Warrior Maven.

Significantly, when Lynn was leading DISA several years ago, he explained this phenomenon succinctly by telling reporters – “it used to be that you needed a secure briefcase to transport secret information.” At the time, Lynn was addressing a joint DISA-Army program called “Unified Capabilities” intended to bring cloud-enabled SIPRNet to mobile devices.