The U.S. Navy has launched a research and development project to build prototype aerial systems with the goal of protecting drones, sensors and missiles from cyber threats, Nextgov reported Wednesday.Aliya Sternstein writes the Navy plans to work with industry scientists to embed security tools into the service’s airborne systems for mission continuity in the event of a cyber attack.
The goal is to reduce the attack surface and restore system operations after a compromise, according to the report.
“A weapons system or warfighting platform cannot be susceptible to a cyber-intrusion or attack, because that obviously risks mission outcome and much more,” Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Holstead, Fleet Cyber Command spokesman, told Nextgov.
The Navy requires interested researchers to submit a research abstract until May 2016, Sternstein reports.
Participants will work to conduct scientific research and deploy operational technology in real mission environments, Nextgov reports.
Sternstein writes the study will focus on maintaining cyber resiliency for operating systems, protecting access points, combining electronic warfare with cybersecurity, implementing security measures in the full acquisition cycle, testing cyber response concepts and developing cyber warning techniques.
