When the U.S. military withdrew warfighters from Afghanistan, one of the biggest challenges was to maintain data flow across the joint forces while dismantling a 20-year-old traditional infrastructure. To keep information moving, DOD rapidly replaced the legacy IT infrastructure with a cloud-native network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This transformational network did more than simply maintain data flow. The cloud-native approach offered increased data storage, resilience to server crashes, increased flexibility in data access, and faster data transmission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The success of the cloud-native network in Afghanistan is a timely example as the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command speeds its efforts to deliver a mission partner environment (MPE) for the command\u2019s urgent regional objectives. The aim of an MPE is to support rapid, secure information transfer among the joint forces and trusted international allies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To maximize speed to insight, data optimization, and scalability, an MPE must be built on a data-centric, cloud-native network. As the Department of Defense builds toward this forward-looking goal, two factors are critical for success: 1) establishing zero-trust security and 2) building with a data-centric, open-architecture approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first element is security. Legacy network infrastructure has traditionally relied on cross domain security solutions that transfer data between two systems with a physical network cable. This approach has drawbacks, especially for an MPE: data is siloed, and there are often login delays, crashes, and no access for users in remote locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another common security solution is a firewall, a network security device that filters network traffic. The problem with a firewall? If an adversary manages to hack it, they\u2019ve crossed the moat into your data kingdom, ready to lurk or wreak havoc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zero trust security overcomes these drawbacks by securing data at multiple checkpoints. Think of Revolutionary War couriers sending secret documents. Spies and informants devised a code which they used for intelligence missives, wrote in invisible ink, sealed the document with a wax signet, and used a key to decode the cipher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like those early patriots, a zero trust strategy relies on more than one tactic. It doesn\u2019t just build a wall. It continuously verifies a user\u2019s attributes: identity, device, behavior patterns, endpoint hardware, geolocation\u2014and more\u2014before granting access to the data. What\u2019s more, it enables flexible groupings, or tetragraphs, which can be assembled and dismantled as the mission requires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This multilevel security approach is vital for MPE. Zero trust enables coalition members, interagency partners, non-governmental organizations, and other trusted partners to rapidly access information from a single interface, such as a laptop or mobile phone, making the information-sharing process flexible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An open architecture approach to a joint forces MPE begins with the shift from traditional network infrastructure to a cloud-native data environment. Instead of purchasing a proprietary solution that could be obsolete in five years, the MPE can evolve with open-source solutions tailored to fit the platform. This enables the phased rollout of a scalable, context-aware environment that integrates new technology and adapts over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adopting a data-centric posture makes agile modernization possible while protecting data at rest and in motion across email, chat, files, and other formats\u2014enabling lifesaving, real-time collaboration that secures victory in complex missions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using the cloud is key to delivering fast insights for joint missions. Secret mission enclaves and cross domain solutions will still play a critical role in the MPE. But cloud-native networking developed with open architecture principles and secured with zero trust offers an effective path to help the U.S. and its allies know, act, and win faster.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"single-native-legacy","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"15"},"advertiser":[3617],"class_list":["post-61543","native","type-native","status-publish","hentry","advertiser-booz-allen-hamilton"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"BNWOBXLQEVGNROL3FPVE6JI56U","arc_canonical_url":"\/native\/booz-allen-hamilton\/2022\/06\/28\/building-a-data-centric-mission-partner-environment\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"native-layout","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"\n