The expansion of global networks, decentralization of manufacturing systems, and lack of research connected to real production capabilities have exposed defense-critical supply chains to more significant risks of disruption, malfunction, danger, and logistical anomalies.
ARLIS seeks to become the preeminent thought-leader in Acquisition and Industrial Security (A&IS), using consequence-driven research and a holistic approach to identify and address critical needs for enabling our nation's supply chains to deliver uncompromised critical capabilities for intelligence and security.
ARLIS performs applied research in illuminating and vetting supply chains while also testing and evaluating the security of various technology used to facilitate them, particularly 5G wireless. By leveraging our technical and social science core competencies to address sociotechnical problems, we protect supply chains and technology. The intelligence community (IC) and defense industrial base (DIB) cannot effectively illuminate, secure, and manage the supply chain risk using only a technological approach. Rather, an integrated, macroergonomics approach that accounts for all aspects of the supply chain (e.g., people, organizations, systems, and technology) must be deployed.
As a UARC, ARLIS can be a trusted partner for U.S. government stakeholders and industry leaders, illuminating supply chains and risks by mastering threat risk-based framework and designing revolutionary methods to monitor security.
Current Ventures
ARLIS leverages a network of partners, capabilities, and information systems to solve real-time supply-chain and technology threats, leading a team of rapid responders including trusted agents, subject-matter experts, and liaises IC and suppliers across various supply chains.
- Forecasting Risks in the Global Supply Chain: ARLIS researchers are developing a proof-of-concept demonstration applying artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics to forecast supply-chain risk management (SCRM). A prototype is in the works to demonstrate real-world scenarios. The use of ARLIS’
CSIFT[1] tool can also contribute to this forecasting mission by leveraging “collective intelligence.”
- Supply Chain Proving Ground Using Modular Digital Twins: ARLIS will develop a modular supply chain digital-twin environment for rapidly testing and validating that technology and standards to ensure they meet our nation's security and counterintelligence needs before being deployed. The digital-twin environment supports exercising supply-chain threat vectors for probing, assessing, and mitigating risk by supplying live and virtual simulations.
The fifth generation of mobile telecommunications (5G) brings a substantial shift in both the future of wireless technology and the system architecture that enables that vision. The architectural changes include a strong emphasis on software-enabled customization and virtualization of network functions, edge computing, open interface specifications, and the use of commodity hardware. 5G will bring even greater integration of mobile telecommunications with business, critical infrastructure, and defense systems. Therefore, government entities have raised concerns over potential threats that could affect how this technology will be used and implemented.
ARLIS is building off A&IS insights and leveraging expertise in wireless communications and cybersecurity to help DoD understand the unique threats and how the U.S. can operate through untrustworthy networks. We are collaborating with both the government and industry to devise a framework to identify gaps where DoD needs to focus investments, including how to work efficiently with commercial industry and prioritizing protections to meet unique DoD operational security needs beyond what is anticipated to be developed commercially. In 2020 ARLIS began building an on-campus test facility for in-depth analysis and experimentation with emerging 5G capabilities and security concerns, including a shielded Faraday Cage enclosure for over-the-air testing and an open-source network-software testbed.
5G/XG Security Framework
The 5G/XG Security Framework activity will catalyze a community of key stakeholders across industry and government to refine the security of 5G-to-XG systems and initiate targeted efforts to mitigate prioritized risks.
5G Commercial Hardware Testbed
In collaboration with researchers on the UMD campus and U.S.-based telecommunications equipment manufacturers and operators, ARLIS is developing a working knowledge of 5G security features. To that end, the ARLIS testbed includes access to emerging 5G commercial equipment and software, both the radio access network (RAN) and the core network. Testbed experiments will be complemented by formal methods for modeling software-based network control functions. ARLIS is also collaborating with Morgan State University to devise and evaluate novel security features for Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices.
In collaboration with researchers on the UMD campus and from U.S.-based telecommunications equipment manufacturers and operators, ARLIS is developing a working knowledge of 5G security features. To that end, the ARLIS testbed includes access to emerging 5G commercial equipment and software, both the radio access network (RAN) and the core network. Testbed experiments will be complemented by formal methods for modeling software-based network control functions. ARLIS is also collaborating with Morgan State University to devise and evaluate novel security features for Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices.
The 5G/XG Security Framework activity will catalyze a community of key stakeholders across industry and government to refine the security of 5G-to-XG systems and initiate targeted efforts to mitigate prioritized risks.