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23 Feb 23. US: Leak of non-classified military emails via misconfigured database underscores increased risk to national security and military operations. On 21 February, the US Department of Defense secured an exposed email server that was leaking internal US military emails online. The exposed server was part of a mailbox system that stored internal military emails, many pertaining to US Special Operations Command. The server was not password-protected, so anyone who knew the IP address could access the mailbox data. While none of the leaked data appears to be classified, some of the emails contained sensitive information including data from security clearance questionnaires which can be extremely valuable to foreign threat actors. Such was the case in 2015 when suspected Chinese threat actors stole ms of sensitive background check files of government employees seeking security clearance. Misconfigured databases connected to the internet can have significant negative impacts on organisations, especially government agencies, as this information could be used by malicious nation state actors to impact military operations and national security. (Source: Sibylline)
23 Feb 23. Influx of fake ChatGPT applications creates greater risk of organisations and individuals being infected by malware. Threat actors are exploiting the popularity of OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot to distribute malware and direct users to phishing websites. Since OpenAI released a premium paid version of ChatGPT, threat actors have developed malicious websites that promise downloads for free, uninterrupted access to ChatGPT Premium to trick users into installing malware on devices or to providing their account credentials. Fake ChatGPT apps are observed on Google Play and third-party Android app stores to install malware onto devices and conduct other malicious activity on a user’s device. When tools release paid-for versions, there is often an influx of free fake tools and applications pretending to be the legitimate tool, which often install malware or steal data from the infected device. Businesses that have employees who use ChatGPT, whether personally or professionally on the same device, will remain at an increased risk of malware infection and their systems becoming compromised. Therefore, businesses that have BYOD policies and little to no security protocols for those devices are at a greater risk of information theft and malware infections via personal devices. (Source: Sibylline)
24 Feb 23. Thales pioneers Post Quantum Cryptography with a successful world-first pilot on phone calls. Thales, as a worldwide cybersecurity leader, has created the first real-world application of Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) in its flagship secure ‘Cryptosmart’ mobile app, leveraging 5G SIM for PQC. In the pilot, hybrid cryptography (pre and post quantum crypto) was used in a phone call between two devices to protect the information exchanged during the call. Thales has invested and tested post-quantum cybersecurity technologies over the last decade in order to prepare for these emerging threats.
- Thales, leader in advanced technologies, successfully experimented end-to-end encrypted phone calls, tested to be resilient in the Post Quantum era.
- The pilot was performed with the Thales ‘Cryptosmart’ secure mobile app and 5G SIM cards installed in today’s commercial smartphones, testing a mobile-to-mobile call, voice/data encryption, and user authentication.
- Any data exchanged during the call is set to be resistant to Post Quantum attacks thanks to a hybrid cryptography approach, combining pre-quantum and post-quantum defence mechanisms.
Even if today’s quantum computer1 prototypes are still far from posing a threat to public key cryptography, it is critical to begin investigating resilient solutions. For example, there is a variant of “store now, decrypt later” attacks that consists in storing today’s exchanged data and messages in order to decrypt these messages once Quantum Computers are available. This means the majority of digital infrastructure security based on public key cryptography (PKC) may already be vulnerable to a quantum attack.
Such threats are relevant for scenarios involving highly sensitive information, such as classified information exchanged over an encrypted phone call. To address these threats, Thales created a proof of concept to test the scalability and quality of its solutions, which range from 5G SIM cards to secure communication software.
This first real-world quantum protected mobile solution, which combines Thales’ ‘Cryptosmart’ application and its 5G SIM, employs hybrid cryptography, as recommended by the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology). ‘CRYSTALS-Kyber’, one of the four algorithms selected by the NIST2, is the PQC algorithm natively implemented in the 5G SIM and used by Cryptosmart application to encrypt the communication.
“Building defences against threats that do not yet exist may appear to be a daunting task. That is exactly the prospect that the global cybersecurity community faces with the impending arrival of quantum computing. The post-quantum era is still years away, but as quantum computing becomes more prevalent, practicing crypto agility now with such pilots and trials are helping Thales and its customers get prepared” said Philippe KERYER, Executive Vice President Strategy & Technology at Thales.
17 Feb 23. BEL displays advanced HF manpack radio. India’s state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) unveiled a manpack version of its newly launched high-frequency software-defined radio (HF SDR) at the Aero India 2023 show in Bangalore, which was held from 13 to 17 February. The radio operates in an HF band range of 1.5–30 MHz, with a maximum transmit power of 20 W. According to BEL, the radio features clear, secure, and frequency-hopping (FH) modes for voice, data, and flash message transmission. The 2G-ALE (Automatic Link Establishment) and 3G-ALE features are also provided in the system to enable optimum frequency selection in establishing connectivity in a network-degraded environment. The ALE and FH features enable the HF SDR to perform uninterrupted communication under dense jamming environments during tactical missions. BEL told Janes that the Indian Armed Forces have shown interest in the product. BEL also confirmed that the radio is compliant with Software Communications Architecture (SCA) version 4.1 specifications. (Source: Janes)
17 Feb 23. IAF develops new data sharing platform. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has developed a new platform that can be used to share location and a variety of other data between soldiers and equipment on ground, at sea, or in the airspace.
The system was unveiled by the IAF at the Aero India 2023 show being held in Bangalore from 13 to 17 February 2023.
The system, named Vayulink, is currently in deployment phase, the IAF officer leading the project, Wing Commander Vishal Mishra, told Janes .
Deployment of Vayulink started in 2021 and will continue over the next few years, Mishra said. Vayulink has been implemented to provide digital real-time identification, friend or foe (IFF) between armoured vehicles and helicopters to prevent battlefield fratricide, Mishra added. (Source: Janes)
21 Feb 23. SAMI seeks partner for Mulhim BMS. Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) is seeking a partner to progress the development of its Mulhim battle management system (BMS), Ibrahim Alswaidan, programme director at SAMI, told Janes at IDEX 2023 in Abu Dhabi, held from 20 to 24 February. The partner would work with SAMI to add more features to Mulhim, specifically to develop “cognitive command-and-control (C2)”, Alswaidan said. This involves, among other things, adding artificial intelligence support functions that can automatically identify and detect threats. A detailed technology road map would be established with the support partner, Alswaidan added. Mulhim is designed to operate at the brigade level and below, and intended for use at the command post, onboard vehicles, and with individual soldiers. Three separate offerings are available – Mulhim Headquarters (HQ), Vehicle, and Dismounted Solider. Mulhim HQ features C2 tools for higher levels of command, while the vehicle configuration provides a tactical situational awareness capability that enables collaborative sharing of data, reports, and alerts on the battlefield, according to SAMI. (Source: Janes)
23 Feb 23. Minister of State announces UKG investment for NI’s Cyber Security industry. Minister of State announces £18.9m investment in NI’s Cyber Security industry.
- Minister of State announces £18.9m investment in NI’s Cyber Security industry.
- New Cyber-AI Hub to help businesses and startups explore new opportunities.
- NI pipeline of world-class cyber professionals developed with training and bursaries.
The UK Government has announced £18.9m investment in NI’s Cyber Security industry, including £11m Government funding through the New Deal for Northern Ireland, to develop a pipeline of cyber security professionals in NI as well helping businesses and startups develop new opportunities.
The investment, announced by Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Steve Baker MP, will see the creation of a new Cyber-AI Hub at the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) in Belfast, creating jobs and supporting the research and development of AI-enabled cyber security projects.
Following the launch, Minister Baker visited NVIDIA, one of the companies benefiting from the close collaboration at CSIT, to learn more about the work being done in their Belfast
R&D centre to enhance the security and performance of NVIDIA’s networking solutions. The company, a global leader in AI, will engage with the new hub on collaborative research into AI-based cyber threat intelligence.
The funding will help ensure a pipeline of world-class cyber professionals, with the creation of a Doctoral training programme and Masters bursaries helping to deliver on the Government’s pledge of 5000 cyber professionals in NI by 2030, as well as supporting the Government’s £2.6bn National Cyber Strategy.
An additional £3.3m from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council will support the delivery of the next phase of the UK’s Innovation and Knowledge Centre at CSIT as it continues linking industry, government and academic expertise to promote economic growth.
With £4.6 m from project partners, the funding builds on NI’s impressive track record of attracting investment in its Cyber Security sector, ahead of Belfast hosting the UK’s flagship cyber security event, CyberUK 2023 in April.
Speaking at the event, Minister of State for Northern Ireland Steve Baker said:
This funding will help to create jobs and strengthen Northern Ireland’s economy, ensuring NI continues to lead the way in cyber security.
We have world-class talent and expertise in NI, and the Government is committed to developing cyber security professionals, here and across the UK.
The funding will have an immediate positive impact on NI’s cyber sector, and with Belfast hosting the UK’s leading cyber security conference in April, I’m looking forward to seeing NI’s deserved recognition as a global cyber security hub.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Paul Scully, said: “Northern Ireland’s cyber security firms play a huge role in the UK’s thriving and world-leading tech industry.
We’re investing ms so people across Northern Ireland can gain the skills for exciting careers helping people and businesses defend against cyber threats.”
President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, Professor Ian Greer, said: “This funding boost will have a hugely positive impact on the cyber security sector locally, nationally and globally.
Investing in a Doctoral Training Programme is vital for the future of our society. We are investing in the skills of the next generation of leaders in cyber security, as well as progressing the Northern Ireland economy.
Over the last 15 years, Queen’s University has helped to put Northern Ireland on the map for digital innovation. We are proud of the work that takes place through the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) and are looking forward to further developing cutting-edge research through the broader Belfast Region City Deal-funded Global Innovation Institute.”
For UK Research and Innovation, Professor Dame Lynn Gladden, EPSRC Executive Chair said: “For the past 13 years the Centre for Secure Information Technologies has played a key role in helping the UK to respond to emerging cyber security threats. It is also at the heart of a thriving innovation ecosystem in Northern Ireland involving more than 100 companies and providing 2,300 people.”
Together with the Cyber-AI hub this additional funding announced today will build on this success to promote further growth and support further cutting edge research that will benefit us all.
Cyber-AI Hub will see the creation of a UK Government Northern Ireland based cyber engagement lead, joining DSIT colleagues in Northern Ireland. This role, similar to positions in other regions in the UK, will engage directly with the Northern Ireland cyber sector to support the delivery of the government’s national cyber security and levelling up strategies as well as exploring opportunities for further UK government funded innovation and skills initiatives.
The funding will also allow for the continuation of the NI Cyber Security Snapshot by QUB. This will highlight opportunities and challenges for the Northern Ireland Cyber Security sector to be identified on a regular basis, further enabling growth in the sector. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
23 Feb 23. Tawazun Council, L3Harris Open Intelligence Software Center to Build Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Capabilities.
Highlights:
- The center is the result of an L3Harris and Atlas Telecom joint venture to benefit the UAE military
- Teams are composed of UAE and U.S. subject matter experts in machine learning and AI
- The Electronic Warfare Launch Portal will enable faster, more informed decision making
L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) and Tawazun Council today announced the opening of BAZ Technologies in Abu Dhabi to build artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities for the UAE military.
BAZ Technologies, also known as the Intelligence Software Center, is a joint venture between L3Harris and UAE-based partner Atlas Telecom. The Center’s initial project under development, the Electronic Warfare Launch Portal, will facilitate the application of AI and ML to real-time data, enabling faster, more informed decisions across multiple domains.
“BAZ is a vital development for the technical and military capabilities of the UAE,” said a spokesperson for Tawazun Council. “We are building in-country AI and ML skills at the same time as creating a formidable defense data-analysis capability for the nation.”
Currently staffed with local Emiratis and expatriates supported by L3Harris, BAZ is the result of a lengthy relationship between L3Harris and Tawazun Council and is part of a wider review of the EW capabilities of the region. As the UAE has an objective of becoming a world leader in the development of AI and AI-based applications, it expects extensive research and development projects, and the Center is evaluating future capabilities in robotics.
About Tawazun Council
Tawazun Council is an independent government entity that works closely with the Ministry of Defense and security agencies in the United Arab Emirates. The Council contributes to maximizing value through innovative budgeting and acquisition systems, and by sustaining technology & innovation to support national industry needs through robust regulations to ensure superior quality. It also seeks to accelerate ecosystem growth by developing capabilities, driving local content, and creating in-country value.
About L3Harris Technologies
L3Harris Technologies is a Trusted Disruptor for the global aerospace and defense industry. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our 46,000 employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains.
23 Feb 23. Edge and BAE to improve cyber and secure communications solutions. The companies work to improve the situational awareness of KATIM’s secure devices by using GXP Fusion software. Edge Group has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with BAE Systems Digital Intelligence to work on advancing cyber and secure communications capabilities.
The MoU was signed at the International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) 2023, which is currently underway in Abu Dhabi.
Under this agreement, the companies will work to boost the situational awareness capabilities of secure devices, developed by Edge Group’s entity KATIM, by using BAE Systems-built GXP Fusion software.
Partner Content
BAE and Edge will also work on promoting KATIM Gateway network encryption solutions in broader target markets.
Additionally, both firms will improve cyber technologies, including BEACON RED’s Range on Wheels (ROW) cyber range and testing platform.
During IDEX, Edge Group’s companies EPI and LAHAB Defence Systems signed two separate MoUs with Raytheon Technologies’ subsidiary Raytheon Emirates.
The three companies will primarily focus on the development of advanced technology products including Raytheon’s Coyote counter-uncrewed aerial system (UAS) interceptor.
Raytheon Emirates managing director Fahad Al Mheiri said: “Aligning with established and capable local companies like EPI and LAHAB will be a critical success factor for Raytheon Emirates as we look to co-produce Coyote counter-UAS interceptor here in the UAE.”
Apart from the MoU, Edge also signed a $1.089bn (AED4bn) four-year contract to deliver tactical communications and data-link solutions to the UAE Armed Forces.
The deal involves improving the network communication capabilities to support multi-domain operations by linking voice/data services into a wider range of the UAE forces’ missions.
EDGE Group also announced that its entity HALCON has received a $272.20m (AED1bn) contract to supply AL TARIQ long-range precision-guided munitions (PGMs) for the UAE Armed Forces.
Edge Group has also won a contract, worth nearly $19.06m (AED70m) to provide V-PROTECT convoy protection and SKYSHIELD counter-UAS systems to an international customer. (Source: army-technology.com)
23 Feb 23. Thales and LuxCarta sign a partnership to offer artificial intelligence powered solutions for military intelligence and cartography.
Sophia Antipolis, France – February 23, 2023 -Thales and LuxCarta, a company specialized in the production of geospatial products derived from satellite imagery, join forces to offer artificial intelligence (AI) enhanced solutions for intelligence and military cartography. This agreement reinforces the partnership between the two companies, which have been working together since 2020.
To quickly obtain accurate geospatial data is critical to military planning and assists in the decision making of operations. The partnership agreement between Thales and LuxCarta addresses this requirement.
Thales has a recognized expertise in the production of military and intelligence maps with a detailed knowledge of the technical references specific to the military sector. The Group supports the armed forces by creating accurate and reliable maps from satellite images that are scanned and vectorized.
LuxCarta is at the forefront of the field of AI in deriving geospatial products thanks to its BrightEarth platform and associated technologies. The innovative small-to-medium enterprise (SME) produces very large-scale cartographic data in a very short time to serve the needs of its civilian markets. This know-how has been transposed by Thales to the defence sector and integrated into its cartographic production lines and military intelligence systems.
For intelligence and military geography, AI is particularly useful in photo interpretation. This technology is able to automatically detect, interpret and digitize buildings, road networks, obstacles, vehicles, etc. By the automation of repetitive tasks, AI saves time in map production and focuses human efforts on high value-added activities.
“LuxCarta provides best-in-class AI-enhanced production of geospatial products that delivers a rapid input to our military cartographic and intelligence businesses,” said Eric Aubineau, Image & Intelligence Systems Director, Thales. “We’ve worked effectively together and it was time to formalize our partnership.”
“It is very rewarding to see all of our hard work on automating the extraction of features from satellite imagery being taken to the next level by our partner Thales,” said Albéric Maumy, CEO of LuxCarta. “We’re happy to contribute our important part to their ability to rapidly produce cartographic information and change detection intelligence capabilities.”
This winning partnership between a major defence player and an innovative SME illustrates Thales’ ability to call on outside expertise to enhance the performance of its systems, accelerate its digital innovation and improve the performance of its technologies in intelligence and military geography.
22 Feb 23. UK leads Western Europe’s largest cyber warfare exercise.
The largest Western Europe-led cyber exercise has taken place in Tallinn with 34 teams from 11 countries, including Ukraine, taking part in a live-fire cyber battle.
- Cyber defences tested at largest Cyber Warfare exercise in Western Europe last week.
- 11 countries put through their paces in cyber warfare, including India, Italy, Ghana, Japan, US, Ukraine, Kenya, and Oman.
- Testing responses to both common and complex cyber threats.
Organised by a team of cyber specialists from the British Army, Defence Cyber Marvel 2 (DCM2) was the culmination of more than 12 months of training for more than 750 cyber specialists, including Defence personnel, government agencies, industry partners, and other nations.
Hosted in Tallinn, Estonia, the exercise saw teams from across the world respond to common and complex simulated cyber threats including attacks to networks, industry control systems and unmanned robotic systems – simulating some of the tactics Russia used to disrupt Ukrainian cyberspace in the early days of the invasion one year ago.
Nearly 900 personnel from the British Army, Royal Navy and RAF took part along with teams from the armed forces of several other countries.
Ran as a seven-day competition, participants were judged on the effectiveness and speed of their response and how quickly they identify and adapt to new threats – vital for developing war fighters for the digital age.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “The modern battlefield is evolving at an unprecedented pace, it is therefore vital that our personnel are trained to adapt quickly in this crucial domain and can recognise cyber threats with capability and speed.
Many teams were based in their home countries but were virtually connected to a cyber range controlled in Tallinn, Estonia, enabling more countries to take part.”
Allowing personnel from across the Armed Forces to build their skills within the cyber and electromagnetic domain, the event also offered the opportunity to share learning and best practice across the Armed Forces and with other nations taking part including Italy, Japan, Kenya and Oman.
Colonel Ian Hargreaves Chair of the Army Cyber Association said:
The Army Cyber Association was set up by Royal Signals officers, prior to the formation of 13 Signal Regiment, as a cyber operations professional development network. It is volunteer run and entirely inclusive for any Service person who wants to develop their cyberspace knowledge and skills.
Our focus has always been talent identification, recognition and development with a big wraparound of innovation. We must innovate to stay ahead of those that would wish us harm and Defence Cyber Marvel 2 is the next evolution of our pioneering collective education.
The exercise has ensured that all those taking part understand the potential and risks that cyberspace provides and gave them the opportunity to experiment and develop their cyber skills. It was designed to stretch the most experienced, battle-hardened, cyber specialists in UK Defence.
Lieutenant General Tom Copinger-Symes Deputy Commander Strategic Command said: “Events like Defence Cyber Marvel showcase the talent we already have in Defence. They get to exercise and learn with folk from a vast array of different nations, backgrounds and specialisations – all united by a common purpose – to hone their skills to a fine edge, in order to protect our people, our prosperity and our principles. At UK Strategic Command we’re committed to finding and nurturing individuals with those skills, especially those who are about to finish their studies and are eager for a unique challenge on the front-line of UK’s defence. Defence is committed to providing its personnel with the skills needed to respond to non-traditional threats with the establishment of the Defence Cyber Academy and launch of the Cyber Aptitude Assessment being designed to identify and foster talent.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
22 Feb 23. ELETTRONICA and ETIMAD Holding LLC signed Strategic Partnership Agreement. to establish an UAE ILS Hub for EW systems and to share mutual capabilities on Surveillance and Protection.
Abu Dhabi, February 22nd, 2023 – Elettronica and ETIMAD Holding signed a Strategic Partnership for the establishment of ILS Hub for EW systems in UAE.
By the signature of this agreement ELT will cooperate with Etimad Holding and its Subsidiaries to establish in UAE an Integrated Logistic Hub for EW systems, as unique solutions to the End User.
EH and its subsidiaries will provide repair and maintenance of the ELT’s EW system on exclusive basis together with ELT and will help ELT to sale its products by combining their mutual capabilities to provide services as per users’ requirements/demands.
Moreover both parties will jointly cooperate for the localization of the system integration and command and control of ELT’s sensor and actuators.
Enzo Benigni, President and CEO of Elettronica expressed full satisfaction within this agreement: “Our relationship with UAE is very deep and we keep working to make it stronger. That’s why I’m honoured to sign this Strategic Partnership Agreement with ETIMAD, a very important holding based in UAE Signing this agreement is only a step forward, we will keep cooperate, sharing and enrich our capabilities.”
Khalid Al-Ali, Etimad Holding CEO expressed the excitement to this agreement: “By signing this agreement, Etimad expands its strategic partnership with purpose to add in-country value to UAE. This agreement is first milestone to a long-term strategic cooperation between Elettronica and Etimad. I’m pleased to have Elettronica as our partner and looking for our cooperation.”
About ETIMAD Holding
It’s a Holding company based in United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its subsidiaries are leader in technology solutions with dedicated focus on security system solutions, project fulfilment and execution of strategic security project delivery and management, Integrated Logistic Support solutions for electronic system, as well as the system Integration, command and control of surveillance and protection system for Board control and Critical Infrastructure.
About Elettronica
Elettronica has been at the forefront of Electronic Warfare for more than 70 years, supplying over 3000 high-tech systems to the armed forces and governments of 30 countries. Elettronica’s systems are designed for a variety of operational missions, from strategic surveillance, self-protection, intelligence gathering, electronic defence and operational support for the sea, land and air domains. The company boasts a strong list of successful national and international collaborations on major programmes like the Tornado fighter, the Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft, the NH-90 helicopter, the Italian offshore patrol vessel and the Franco-Italian Horizon and FREMM warships. The company is part of Gruppo Elettronica which also includes CY4GATE, specialising in Cyber EW, Cybersecurity and Intelligence; Elt GmbH, a German subsidiary specialising in the design of Homeland Security systems and EltHub is focused on research, innovation and fast prototyping.
22 Feb 23. Lockheed Martin, Juniper Networks Demonstrate Mission-Aware Routing Technology for Department of Defense.
5G.MIL® technology demonstrates resiliency, delivers optimized information at the edge
The Big Picture
In an industry first, Lockheed Martin and Juniper Networks successfully demonstrated mission-aware routing technology that will streamline and prioritize the flow of critical information from contested, remote environments to commanders stationed around the globe by connecting Lockheed Martin and Juniper products to create a hybrid software-defined wide-area network (SD-WAN) solution.
The companies demonstrated two key advances in technology that can provide critical applications for the Department of Defense (DOD):
- The mission-aware routing technology optimizes data flow to ensure commanders receive more important information first, securely and in real-time with 5G.MIL connectivity. The information is prioritized based on data content, information exchange requirements and mission phase priorities. It is delivered over available data links in a heterogeneous “network of networks,” including tactical links.
- The technology demonstrated it could withstand the connectivity challenges inherent to military environments. In the lab environment, the companies cut off primary communication channels, and the solution successfully rerouted the information through secondary links, verifying its resiliency in the face of jamming or other adverse conditions.
Strategic Perspectives
Dan Rice, vice president of 5G.MIL Programs at Lockheed Martin:
“In the face of 21st Century Security challenges, military commanders need access to the most critical information and to trust that it’s going to be delivered securely and on time, no matter the circumstances. By combining our secure 5G.MIL® technologies with Juniper’s industry-leading SD-WAN solution and routing capabilities, Lockheed Martin is delivering resilient, intelligent communications that keep our customers ahead of evolving threats.”
Greg Bourdelais, area leader, Federal Sector at Juniper Networks:
“Sending and receiving secure mission-critical information in real time is paramount for the military to achieve positive mission outcomes. We are proud to partner with Lockheed Martin to empower military leaders with industry-first AI-driven networking capabilities and communications that remain connected across a variety of challenging environments experienced by the military around the world.”
Additional Information
The companies integrated software into operational lab hardware that connected military platforms across domains, representing military bases, ground vehicles, crewed and uncrewed aircraft, and ships. The information collected by each of these assets was monitored and collected by Lockheed Martin’s Dynamic Data Link Manager (DDLM) and passed to Juniper® Session Smart™ Routing (SSR) driven by Mist AITM to determine the optimal routing priority and channel based on pre-existing policy requirements. Then using secure 5G.MIL distributed open system gateway connectivity, the prioritized data was delivered to commanders to support prompt and well-informed decision-making. If the primary route for delivery was unavailable or degraded, the technology delivered the information through alternate routes.
Connecting the DDLM and the SSR created a hybrid software-defined wide-area network (SD-WAN) solution. The hybrid SD-WAN solution connects disparate tactical nodes and networks to form a decentralized, heterogenous network of networks with secure 5G and military data link connectivity.
In addition to mission-aware routing technology, Lockheed Martin and Juniper are actively collaborating to enhance RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) functionality. RIC functionality improves the performance of radio access networks, a key component of secure 5G connectivity. These enhancements will enable 5G.MIL capabilities to optimize communication performance and provide additional radio frequency analytics. Coupled with mission-aware routing technology, these 5G.MIL capabilities will meet a variety of mission communication needs.
Lockheed Martin and Juniper Networks established a collaboration memorandum of understanding in 2022 to develop integrated hybrid SD-WAN solutions, enhanced RIC solutions, and customer demonstration objectives.
What’s Next?
Future demonstrations between Lockheed Martin and Juniper are expected to expand hybrid SD-WAN experimentation from the lab to field exercises with additional network nodes.
31 Jan 23. C3 AI Expands Strategic Collaboration Agreement with AWS to Deliver Enhanced AI Solutions. Collaboration will reduce data siloes and accelerate digital transformation.
C3 AI (NYSE: AI), the Enterprise AI application software company, today announced an expansion of their Strategic Collaboration Agreement (SCA) with Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS) to deliver artificial intelligence (AI) solutions designed to solve customers’ critical business challenges across a variety of industries, including defense and intelligence as well as state and local government. Under the expanded SCA, C3 AI will integrate C3 AI applications, such as C3 AI Law Enforcement, with AWS services including Amazon Comprehend, and co-sell the C3 AI Platform and applications with AWS.
C3 AI is a leading enterprise AI software provider building enterprise-scale AI applications and accelerating customers’ digital transformation. For example, C3 AI Law Enforcement helps local government agencies use machine learning (ML) to organize and analyze datasets, surfacing valuable information in near real time.
“C3 AI and AWS have been extremely engaged to develop a solution that is accessible to local government agencies of any size who are dealing with the same challenges that we are,” said Kimberly Honciano, Director of Technology Services at the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. “We are excited about what we’ve seen so far because it will not only eliminate data siloes and improve case efficiency, but also unlock enterprise analytics in a way that wasn’t possible for us before.”
This SCA, which started in 2016, focuses on pairing AWS’s scalability, innovation, and agility with C3 AI’s industry-leading software. The C3 AI Platform and C3 AI applications run on AWS and make use of AWS’ powerful set of AI, ML, and data analytics services.
“Our shared customers are asking for pre-built AI applications and solutions to deliver business value at scale,” said Houman Behzadi, Chief Product Officer at C3 AI. “AWS and C3 AI have created tightly integrated suites of AI applications that leverage AWS services to meet that need.”
“We’re delighted to expand our Strategic Collaboration Agreement with C3 AI to better support public sector customers with industry-tailored and AI-enabled solutions,” said Jeff Kratz, General Manager, Worldwide Public Sector Partners at AWS. “We are seeing more customers asking for these types of use-case-specific AI applications and this SCA will help C3 AI enhance their offerings to provide outstanding solutions for our customers.”
All six of C3 AI’s application suites, as well as the C3 AI Platform, are available in AWS Marketplace now. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
31 Jan 23. AI-powered surveillance sought for US Central Command.
The U.S. Air Force is interested in installing always-on surveillance systems fueled by artificial intelligence and other advanced computing technology at sites overseen by U.S. Central Command.
In documents published last week, the service sought industry feedback on a potential high-tech “monitoring system” at Al Udeid Air Base, in Qatar, and other undisclosed “forward locations.”
Such a system could dramatically slash the manpower and man-hours needed to keep tabs on foreign workers, an around-the-clock assignment, the Air Force said. Al Udeid is the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East and served as a crucial evacuation hub amid the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal.
“Force protection personnel deployed across the [area of responsibility] are responsible for watching [other country nationals] work on various projects,” the request for information reads. “This artificial intelligence system would replace the need for in-person monitoring and reduce up to 75% of those billets, enabling USAF resources and force protection assets to be employed against higher priorities.”
Components of the future network will likely include cameras and other hardware, pattern recognition capabilities, automated alerts, geospatial tracking and real-time digital twins, or virtual models designed to reflect the real world. Exactly when a system would be up and running was unclear.
The Department of Defense is investing in and relying on AI to boost productivity and augment military operations, including manned-unmanned teaming, intelligence analysis and personnel preparedness. More than 600 AI projects were underway at the department as of early 2021, according to a public tally, with the Air and Space forces together responsible for at least 80.
Air Force Chief Information Officer Lauren Knausenberger in November said the service must “automate more” in order to remain dominant. The speed and flexibility afforded by AI, other U.S. defense officials have said, are needed to maintain an edge over technologically savvy competitors, such as China and Russia.
The Air Force in 2020 deployed AI as a pilot’s sidekick, allowing it to handle sensing and navigation aboard a U-2 Dragon Lady surveillance plane. More recently, AFWERX, an Air Force office in charge of identifying innovative ways to use technology, established a program called Autonomy Prime to learn about autonomous kit the private sector is developing and how the military can apply it, Defense News reported.
The Pentagon’s public spending on AI, including autonomy, rocketed to $2.5 bn in 2021. The figure sat at a little more than $600 m in 2016. (Source: Defense News)
21 Feb 23. US: Knock-on impact of ransomware attacks will pose financial risks to semiconductor industry throughout supply chain. Applied Materials this week disclosed that its Q2 2023 sales are likely to be lower by an estimated $250 m due to a cyber attack at one of its suppliers. One of the world’s leading suppliers of equipment, services and software for the manufacture of semiconductors, Applied Materials did not disclose which supplier they were referring to. However, recently, supplier MKS Instruments suffered a ransomware attack that halted its operations including processing orders and shipping products, as well as leaked sensitive employee information. It is therefore likely that MKS Instruments is the organisation in question. Cyber attacks against organisations such as MKS Instruments highlight how the supply chain of a company can create external vulnerabilities that can still have a detrimental impact on business operations and profits across the supply chain. This will remain especially acute for the semiconductor industry where there is already a component shortage affecting operations, with attacks risking further delays in production due to operational downtime.
21 Feb 23. Global: Social engineering campaign targeting cryptocurrency exchange highlights importance of effective security education and mitigation procedures Threat actor ‘0ktapus’ have conducted a smishing campaign against employees of the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase. According to the company, on 5 February, employees received text messages requesting them to urgently log in to their accounts using an embedded link, and one employee clicked the link and entered their credentials. As Coinbase has multifactor authentication (MFA) for its employees, the threat actor was unable to access the employee’s account. However, the attackers used a social engineering technique by phoning and pretending to be IT, and requested the employee to log into their workstation. This provided the threat actor access to their account. The company subsequently detected suspicious activity and suspended access to the infected employee’s account. However, the threat actor was able to only access some employee information and was unable to access any funds. Multifaceted social engineering campaigns, which use multiple methods to try to obtain access to a system, highlight how crucial it is to educate employees on cyber hygiene and good cyber practices. In this instance, Coinbase had proper security detection in place to prevent the attack from accessing anything sensitive or its funds. However, because cryptocurrency exchanges remain a lucrative target to both cybercriminal and state-sponsored actors, exchanges with weak cyber defences and poor employee cyber hygiene are at a greater risk of successful attacks. (Source: Sibylline)
20 Feb 23. Lockheed Martin Australia to pursue $83bn IAMD export market on the back of AIR6500. Australian companies will be able to access a global Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) export market estimated to be worth $83bn on the back of Lockheed Martin Australia’s proposed solution for Project AIR6500, the RAAF’s planned Joint Air Battle Management System.
At its upgraded Endeavour Centre in Canberra, Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA) has showcased its proposed AIR6500 solution, demonstrating a modern Battle Management System that can fuse the inputs of Defence’s wide array of sensors into a single recognised picture, bringing clarity and cohesion to a complex undertaking. AIR6500 will replace the RAAF’s existing Air Battle Management System delivered under successive phases of Project Vigilare and associated programs.
The LMA solution for AIR6500 is designed with an undisclosed date for Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in mind. But its architecture is deliberately flexible so that new technologies and capabilities can be added quickly, meaning that its configuration could change significantly at relatively short notice while innovation will be a constant activity – which means in turn that terms like ‘Full Operational Capability’ become relatively meaningless.
The company also showcased its Australian supply chain, featuring CEOs or senior leaders from Silentium Defence, Consilium Technology, Consunet, Leidos Australia, C4i and Penten and their contribution to the total AIR6500 solution. Silentium Defence last year became the first Australian company and only the second non-US company to be admitted to Lockheed Martin’s Mentor Protégé Program for high-promise SMEs.
“Our focus on Australian industry, and how they contribute to our proposed solution, has the potential to provide a pipeline into the global IAMD enterprise” said Warren McDonald, Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin Australia New Zealand.
Lockheed Martin Australia is drawing on the best of Australian industry to deliver AIR6500. It has awarded contracts to more than 10 leading-edge companies, including QinetiQ Australia, Lucid Consulting Engineering and Daronmont. If its bid is successful, LMA has identified more than 130 other Australian SMEs as potential partners and aims to create some 400 high-value STEM jobs directly and another 1000 indirectly through the program. The company is also working with Raytheon and Boeing on its AIR6500 solution.
“By leveraging Australian companies with a strong understanding of Defence, we will create a system that connects Defence’s modern systems and display it to commanders who can make decisions with improved clarity and situational awareness,” said Kendell Kuczma, LMA’s International Business Development Director of Rotary and Missions Systems for Australia and New Zealand.
Lockheed has integrated and fielded more than 2,400 multi-domain Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) systems, or parts of systems, in 25 countries, it says. In Australia it has invested $103 m over seven years to develop the AIR6500 capability, with some 206 Australian employees working on it with a further 60 in the USA. To enable better integration and collaboration the company invested $10 m upgrading the Endeavour Centre.
The company has also committed to investing $74 m in Australia’s future IAMD ecosystem in order to create an enduring capability along with technology export opportunities. This suggests that Australia could become a key node in the development of the company’s IAMD capability worldwide.
“If ever there was a capability that you co-invest in and commit early to delivering a flexible architecture that can accommodate technological advances – it is IAMD,” said Kendell Kuczma.
AIR6500Endeavour CentreIAMD (Source: Rumour Control)
20 Feb 23. Defence Sourcing Portal and Gov.UK Contract Finder: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0cca468e-3bf4-46ec-9fc9-819b71e6a34f
– Opportunity Document Attached with details, from Def Sourcing Portal.
- Project Description
The UK MOD is publishing this Discovery Event for the Morpheus Key Management System (MKMS) to seek responses from industry to inform the MKMS project. MKMS will provide cryptographic key, and associated communications information, to the point of fill on cryptographic devices being delivered by MORPHEUS as part of the bearer solution. It will achieve this by interfacing to external key generation, manipulation and distribution systems, as well as by providing key generation for keys not supplied by external systems. MKMS will provide key manipulation and distribution internal to MORPHEUS in accordance with communication plans that are developed by system management tools. MKMS is planned to interface to the system management tools to receive communication plan information and provide any necessary information from MKMS. Keys generated by MKMS will need to be available to external key management systems to facilitate interoperability (e.g. between non-MORPHEUS Army Aviation and MORPHEUS ground troops).
MKMS will adopt a user-centric design, that takes account of the threat environment and places interoperability with allies and coalition partners at the heart of its development. The solution will also need to integrate with the wider UK crypt-key enterprise.
The scope of the project includes any fill devices and/or applications needed to fill cryptographic equipment as well as to manage the key management system in support of crypto management responsibilities. This scope shall include, where necessary, assured Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to support the MORPHEUS crypt-key solution.
MORPHEUS will operate at up to, and including, SECRET Releasable to the Mission/NATO. The key management system scope will include all cryptographic key material including interoperability keys, GPS, transmission and communication security.
Further information on how to submit a response can be found in the attached document to this opportunity
- Notes
Default Additional Notes
- Work Category
Supplies
- Procurement Route
Other
- Listing Deadline
01/03/2023 17:00
- Contract Start Date
01/01/2028
- Contract Duration
- Estimated Value of Contract
- 20 Feb 23. Defence Online: https://www.defenceonline.co.uk/2023/02/15/morpheus-key-management-system-mkms-discovery-event/
Morpheus Key Management System (MKMS) – Discovery Event
February 15, 2023
Type of document: Contract Notice
Country: United Kingdom
- Title: MORPHEUS KEY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (MKMS) – DISCOVERY EVENT
- Awarding Authority: Ministry of Defence, GB Email: . Web:
- Contract type: Supply contract
Other
- Description: The Awarding authority is publishing this Discovery Event for the Morpheus Key Management System (MKMS) to seek responses from industry to inform the MKMS project. MKMS will provide cryptographic key, and associated communications information, to the point of fill on cryptographic devices being delivered by MORPHEUS as part of the bearer solution. It will achieve this by interfacing to external key generation, manipulation and distribution systems, as well as by providing key generation for keys not supplied by external systems. MKMS will provide key manipulation and distribution internal to MORPHEUS in accordance with communication plans that are developed by system management tools. MKMS is planned to interface to the system management tools to receive communication plan information and provide any necessary information from MKMS. Keys generated by MKMS will need to be available to external key management systems to facilitate interoperability (e.g. between non-MORPHEUS Army Aviation and MORPHEUS ground troops).
MKMS will adopt a user-centric design, that takes account of the threat environment and places interoperability with allies and coalition partners at the heart of its development. The solution will also need to integrate with the wider UK crypt-key enterprise.
The scope of the project includes any fill devices and/or applications needed to fill cryptographic equipment as well as to manage the key management system in support of crypto management responsibilities. This scope shall include, where necessary, assured Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to support the MORPHEUS crypt-key solution.
MORPHEUS will operate at up to, and including, SECRET Releasable to the Mission/NATO. The key management system scope will include all cryptographic key material including interoperability keys, GPS, transmission and communication security.
Further information on how to submit a response can be found in the attached document to this opportunity
- CPV Code(s): 32260000, 32430000, 32582000, 72262000, 72313000, 72317000, 72318000
- NUTS code(s): UKK, UKK1, UKK11
- Main site or location of works, main place of delivery or main place of performance: Any region
- Reference attributed by awarding authority: Project Code 706430452-RFI
- Estimated value of requirement: Not provided.
- Listing Deadline 1.3.2023 (17:00:00).
- Address to which they must be sent: You must register or log in at Web: to participate in this tender
- Other information: Notes: Default Additional Notes
Work Category : Supplies
Procurement Route: Other
Listing Deadline: 01/03/2023 17:00
Contract Start Date: 01/01/2028
TKR-2023213-EX-1545775
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Spectra Group Plc
Spectra Group (UK) Ltd, internationally renowned award-winning information security and communications specialist with a proven record of accomplishment.
Spectra is a dynamic, agile and security-accredited organisation that offers secure Hosted and Managed Solutions and Cyber Advisory Services with a track record of delivering on time, to spec and on budget.
With over 15 years of experience in delivering solutions for governments around the globe, elite militaries and private enterprises of all sizes, Spectra’s platinum and gold-level partnerships with third-party vendors ensure the supply of best value leading-edge technology.
Spectra was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise (Innovation) in 2019 for SlingShot.
In November 2017, Spectra Group (UK) Ltd announced its listing as a Top 100 Government SME Supplier by the UK Crown Commercial Services.
Spectra’s CEO, Simon Davies, was awarded 2017 Businessman of the Year by Battlespace magazine.
Founded in 2002, the Company is based in Hereford, UK and holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 27001:2013 and Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation.
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