Cyber

Cloud computing provides computing capabilities as a service rather than a product. Advantages to this include reduced costs and maintenance, and increased flexibility, availability and scalability. Cloud computing, however, also presents some potentially significant security issues. In particular, vulnerabilities could include compromise of data security and loss of key information. Any computer or web-friendly device connected to the Internet could gain unauthorized access to pools of computing power, applications, or files – compromising information security in cloud-computing environments.

The goal of the Safer Warfighter Communications (SAFER) program is to develop technology that will enable safe, resilient communications over the Internet, particularly in situations in which a third-party is attempting to discover the identity or location of the end users, or block the communication. The technology developed through the program will also provide the quality of service (QoS) required to support applications such as instant messaging, electronic mail, social networking, streaming video, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), video conferencing and other media that promote effective communication.

It is easy to reverse engineer software today. An attacker generally requires no more than a basic debugger, a compiler and about a day's effort to de-obfuscate code that has been obfuscated with the best current methods. The reason for the relative ease is that program obfuscation is primarily based on "security through obscurity" strategies, typified by inserting passive junk code into a program’s source code. Existing program obfuscation methods also do not have quantifiable security models, and so it is difficult even to measure how much security is gained by a given obfuscation effort.

Dr. John Launchbury joined DARPA as a Program Manager in July 2014 and was named Director of the Information Innovation Office (I2O) in September 2015. In this role he develops Office strategy, staffs the Office, and works with I2O program managers to develop new programs and transition program products. Dr. Launchbury has been instrumental in formulating and implementing I2O research thrusts in programming languages, security, privacy and cryptography.

Dr. Michael Hsieh joined DARPA as a program manager in January 2013. His focus is on quantitative and cryptographic techniques for establishing provable security in big data and software.