Communication and Information Systems (CIS) Interoperability: Examples and Lessons Learned from Multi-National Projects and NATO Experience

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1 Communication and Information Systems (CIS) Interoperability: Examples and Lessons Learned from Multi-National Projects and NATO Experience Luigi Bella, Director of Production NC3A, 28 March 2011, Rome 1

from Multi-National Projects and NATO Experience

2 (CIS) Interoperability Concept The issue: ensure that multiple entities (e.g. different physical/security domains) can effectively work together to achieve the desired global effect. Ensure encompasses various aspects: Define operational needs, federated open architectures, interfaces and success metrics Implement and validate, including compliance with established timelines Maintain and operate, including cyber-defence Evolve and upgrade (e.g. scope/coverage, functionalities/performances) until end-of-life Overall governance Work together encompasses various levels of interaction: Physical/Network layer (e.g. all-over-ip) Sharing of Core Information Services (e.g. , Web-Access) Sharing of Applications, Cross-Access to Data Bases (e.g. Service-Oriented Architecture) Sharing of Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) Sharing of Operational Objectives 2

Maintain and operate, including cyber-defence Evolve and upgrade (e.g. scope/coverage, functionalities/performances) until end-of-life Overall governance Work together encompasses various levels of interaction: Physical/Network layer (e.

3 (CIS) Interoperability: Myth or Reality? Interoperability is essential: can this Sacred Graal be found anywhere? Dogmatic approach : Define interoperability scope/entities at concept level, abstract environment and model Identify and gather decision making authorities of the concerned entities Propose/discuss standards, TTPs, validation/certification methods and tools Implement and validate, including verification of reciprocal protection/security Overall governance, including upgrade, by the designated authorities Pragmatic approach : Detect specific scope/application areas (e.g. convergence of interest or political mandate) Deduce expected concrete results (not all the wishful set), timelines and metrics Validate by rapid implementation; cross-protection by verifiable mutual trust Quick-wins -> springboard for scope increase; lessons learned -> better performances Governance by practical rules: what is needed to join? World is not black-and-white...nor is it dogmatic-or-pragmatic. 3 examples: Tactical communications, Intelligence Sharing, Afghanistan Mission 3

standards, TTPs, validation/certification methods and tools Implement and validate, including verification of reciprocal protection/security Overall governance, including upgrade, by the designated

4 Tactical Communications (TACOMS) Multi-National Project, governed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with 15 participating Nations delivering standards for robust Traffic Federated Network (TFNs), Technology-Independent interconnection of Network Elements (NEs) Protected, Highly Available and Federated IP network Converged, High-Speed Interoperability Points (IOP1s) IP and ISDN External Network Access Points (ENAPs) Connection of various Security Domains (Connected Clouds) Controlled Exchange Boundaries (CEBs) 4

Network Elements (NEs) Protected, Highly Available and Federated IP network Converged, High-Speed Interoperability Points (IOP1s)

5 TACOMS Standards 7 standards accepted by NATO (STANAGs) 12 nations ratified 10 stated plans to implement TACOMS is based on a range of civil communication standards TACOMS specifies interaction and configuration for service interoperability Communications protocols, directory, addressing, numbering, etc Quality of service structure Infrastructure security and management Capabilities: Ability to federate communications networks, beyond current developments System agnostic, i.e. specifies boundaries and not internals Standards can and should also be evolved to: Provide a universal interface for wider range of transmission media Enrich Quality of Service structure, mobility management Exploit developments in end to end and IP encryption Accommodate commercial standards evolution Accommodate lessons from Afghanistan NATO/ EAPC 5

federate communications networks, beyond current developments System agnostic, i.e. specifies boundaries and not internals Standards can and should also be evolved to: Provide a universal interface

6 MAJIIC 1 (Multi-sensor Aerospace/ground Joint ISR Interoperability Coalition) Multi-National Project governed by a MOU 9 nation coalition applied the R&D project established to develop, implement, demonstrate and validate an interoperable, coalition Joint ISR capability Information sharing principle - Post for external access before internal processing Provides operational interoperability based on the use of NATO processes and agreed NATO Standardization Agreements (STANAG) MAJIIC addressed Mission Effectiveness: ability to collaboratively plan and use a wide variety of networked Coalition JISR sensors and exploitation systems to improve the operational commander s situational awareness Proof of Concept demonstrated at Exercise Trial Quest 2007, basis for the development of JISR Concept approved by NATO Military Committee in 2009 Today: MAJIIC deployed to ISAF by NATO and Nations Paris Interoperability Experiment

based on the use of NATO processes and agreed NATO Standardization Agreements (STANAG) MAJIIC addressed Mission Effectiveness: ability to collaboratively plan and use a wide variety of networked

7 Evolution to MAJIIC 2 (Multi-intelligence All Source Joint ISR Interoperability Coalition) Enhance existing capabilities Additional intelligence products (multi-int) Cross Community of Interest (COI) interoperability Operational process effectiveness and efficiency enhancements Evolve to use NATO Network Enabled Capabilities / Service Oriented Architecture Core Services MAJIIC as a scalable capability within the NATO Service Framework MAJIIC 2 Service Orientation Proof of Concept to be demonstrated at TIE 12 (Feb 2012) Ensure compatibility with Cross Domain Solutions Support transition to operations Integrate resulting feedback Support Configuration Management of MAJIIC Systems Information Assurance Paris Interoperability Experiment

Services MAJIIC as a scalable capability within the NATO Service Framework MAJIIC 2 Service Orientation Proof of Concept to be demonstrated at TIE 12 (Feb 2012) Ensure compatibility

8 Afghanistan Mission Network (AMN) The AMN is defined as a core CIS component administered by NATO with fully trusted National Network Extensions to establish a single federated common domain The AMN concept and design were generated since mid 2009 by a major operational imperative: move from a decentralized conduct of operations (different Nations pursuing tactical campaigns in different Regions) to a centralized conduct of operations (set up of a central ISAF Joint Command IJC). Now implemented, the AMN is the primary Coalition Command, Control, Communications and Computers Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) network in Afghanistan for all ISAF forces and operations. 8

Nations pursuing tactical campaigns in different Regions) to a centralized conduct of operations (set up of a central ISAF Joint Command IJC).

9 AMN shall provide Unity of effort. AMN: Tenets* AMN shall enable immediate end-to-end operational effect. Management of AMN shall be aligned with operational chain of command. Management of AMN shall provide awareness and visibility of Federated Networks to the Commander. Management of AMN shall enable Commander to affect the behaviour of the Federated Networks. AMN Federated Networks shall adhere to One set of standards; one set of Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP). *principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true 9

Management of AMN shall provide awareness and visibility of Federated Networks to the Commander.

10 AMN: Principles Nations retain full control and responsibility over their National Network Extensions. Nations are responsible to resource and execute all required actions within their national extensions. NATO standards, including security and accreditation, applies throughout the AMN. Nations may choose to apply national standards in addition to NATO standards within their national extension. NATO funding policy applies. 10

NATO standards, including security and accreditation, applies throughout the AMN.

11 Afghanistan Mission Network Initial Operational Capability (IOC) All nations participating in AMN must comply with NATO IA and Security policies, to include agreed upon labelling of data and information. CaesarNet (ITA) Key Core Capabilities : Such as (with attachments) Web browsing Video Tele-Conferencing etc CX-I (USA) (AUS) LCSS (CAN) Other Nations Overtask (GBR) ISAF Secret (NATO) JCCIS (DEU) SICF (FRA) FISBasis (NOR) NATO SECRET Information Exchange Gateway COM ISAF: IOC was achieved at the Tipping Point where the AMN became the primary network of choice for the majority of ISAF ops Requirement 11 in January Initial Operational Capability reached in July

CaesarNet (ITA) Key Core Capabilities : Such as E-mail (with attachments) Web browsing Video Tele-Conferencing etc CX-I (USA) (AUS) LCSS (CAN) Other Nations Overtask (GBR)

12 AMN : Growth of User Accounts on the Shared Domain NATO Releasable to ISAF 12

13 AMN Next Phases - Concept Structure AMN primary C5ISR network for all ISAF forces AMN has replaced the national networks as the primary network at all levels All information systems are fully operational on AMN Integrated AMN Operations Centres are operational SIPRNET (US Nat Ext) CAN National Networks CENTRIX- ISAF (USA) (AUS) Inside shaded circle No restrictions on information exchange LCSS (CAN) CaesarNet (ITA) ISAF Secret (NATO) Other Nations Overtask (GBR) GBR National Networks DEU ECIS (DEU) NORAX (NOR) FR AMN (FRA) FISBasis NS SICF (FRA) NATO SECRET Information Exchange Gateway The AMN will be a federation of networks, independently resourced and populated but all operated and managed in compliance with NATO standards 13 NATO

information exchange LCSS (CAN) CaesarNet (ITA) ISAF Secret (NATO) Other Nations Overtask (GBR) GBR National Networks DEU ECIS (DEU) NORAX (NOR) FR AMN (FRA) FISBasis NS SICF (FRA) NATO

14 (CIS) Interoperability: Conclusion and General Recommendations Perfect, all-encompassing solutions are a laudable ambition, but very rarely happen and may divert from the art of the possible. Better choice is implementing a little, get quick wins, take stock, implement more... Ensure buy-in and commitment of key stakeholders by: Moving from well recognized operational needs, with evident collective advantages and/or Focussing on areas where stakeholders see advantages for themselves and/or Being prepared to accept initial limited results provided wide scalability is achievable Defining simple and tangible metrics for success Accepting temporary compromise in performances rather than slippage in time Ensure commitment by decision-makers: Clarify what can be expected according to realistic plan (mostly less than wished for...) Be ready to recognize problems and escalate back for support Make clear that it is likely some elements will still be discontent...no matter what! Consider CIS cross-protection from the outset: leaving cyber-defence as after-thought, may bring failures and also fatal tensions across stakeholders 14

.. Ensure buy-in and commitment of key stakeholders by: Moving from well recognized operational needs, with evident collective advantages and/or Focussing on areas where stakeholders see advantages

15 Questions? Luigi Bella Director of Production (NC3A) NATO

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