The defense landscape is demanding new operational approaches to counter emerging threats. Secure and efficient information sharing is critical for achieving decision dominance in complex, joint military operations.
In a recent interview with MeriTalk, George Kamis, Chief Technology Officer at Everfox, discussed the importance of mastering the “third dimension” of warfare – secure cross-domain collaboration – to enable data-based decision-making at the speed needed to respond to rapidly changing mission requirements.
MeriTalk: Today’s adversaries often employ strategies that span multiple domains (cyber, air, sea, etc.). What strategies are necessary to maintain decision dominance in a multi-domain battle space?
Kamis: To achieve decision dominance, military commands and allies in joint operations need secure access – at mission speed – to multiple networks at different classification levels. This access unlocks what I like to refer to as the “third dimension” of warfare, allowing them to access and share the controlled classified data essential for superior intelligence and analysis.
By rapidly transforming data into actionable intelligence, mission partners can make faster, better-informed decisions, improve situational awareness, and maintain decisive strategic advantage over less technologically adept adversaries. Ultimately, their goal is to attain digital overmatch, the ability to overwhelm an opponent through better information, greater speed, and more precision.
MeriTalk: How can military command structures adapt to handle the complexities associated with digital information management?
Kamis: Accelerated data processing combined with unified access to critical information ensures that commanders can make well-informed, timely decisions without the traditional barriers posed by separate networks, classification levels, or restricted communication channels.
Solutions that enable seamless access to data across security domains are essential. Think of it as breaking down the walls between these silos of information. This allows for a more complete and accurate understanding of the battlefield, enabling commanders to make the best possible decisions in real time.
MeriTalk: In high-stakes environments, where decisions need to be swift, accurate, and based on comprehensive intelligence, how does data fragmentation hinder seamless information sharing across different agencies and operational units?
Kamis: Military operations and other high-stakes environments generate massive volumes of data from multiple sources, such as sensors, drones, and human intelligence from different classification levels. This data is distributed across various networks in different formats at different classification levels.
The fragmented nature of this data can hinder the processes essential for real-time situational awareness and decision-making. Imagine trying to build a complete picture of a battlefield with only a few puzzle pieces. That’s what data fragmentation does – it prevents commanders from seeing the full picture.
Effective data integration and management are necessary to ensure immediate access to relevant data when it’s needed most. This data must be processed and integrated efficiently – accessibility and speed are crucial in modern military operations.
MeriTalk: In what ways can advancements in technology aid in overcoming data fragmentation?
Kamis: Technological solutions are evolving to facilitate centralized, more efficient data management and transport. Cloud computing and storage, advanced analytics platforms, and secure interconnectivity enable inter-agency collaboration by securely connecting and managing data sharing between different networks at different classification levels. In the future, artificial intelligence or machine learning algorithms will play a crucial role in government by integrating disparate data sources, detecting patterns, and providing actionable insights to support military decision-making.
Agencies must assess how these advancements might contribute to a modernized mission access framework. The underlying design of secure data access and transfer with cross domain solutions is very important to preventing data fragmentation and ensuring commanders can make swift and accurate decisions in high-stakes environments.
MeriTalk: How can organizations modernize mission access to improve coordination among diverse components?
Kamis: Mastering the “third dimension” of warfare – secure cross-domain collaboration – is vital for improving mission effectiveness and collaboration. Solutions that enable simultaneous access to resources across multiple networks at different classification levels from a single point, while adhering to the strictest security requirements, are essential. These solutions must facilitate high-speed, bidirectional data transfer between command centers and frontline operations to support rapid decision-making and successful implementation of deep learning technologies. By sharing data in real time across different networks and classification levels, these solutions create a unified operational view, allow seamless cooperation among diverse forces, and strengthen joint capabilities, supporting battlefield dominance in complex environments.
MeriTalk: How does Everfox support agencies on their mission access modernization journeys and help them effectively respond to dynamic joint warfare scenarios?
Kamis: Everfox provides solutions that improve operational efficiency and security while reducing logistical burdens. Everfox Cross Domain Solutions provide a centralized platform for synchronizing and accessing resources across locations and components seamlessly and securely. Our Trusted Thin Client solutions enable secure access to mission-critical resources and data on multiple networks at various classification levels from a single device.
In one situation, we were able to help a command reduce their kit load from six or seven large cases that needed to be carried and set up at remote locations to a single laptop. All they needed was a connection to the internet. This not only greatly reduced the load, but also enabled the command to respond more quickly and effectively to dynamic events. In another example, we reduced the number of computers at each warfighter’s desk from six computers to only one thin client and network connection.
MeriTalk: What should organizations look for in a technology partner to securely provide access and transfer information?
Kamis: Defense organizations continuously face the challenge of managing and upgrading technology. Their IT infrastructures are vast and complex, having evolved over decades, and the need to seamlessly integrate operations across multiple organizations further complicates this challenge.
To deliver optimal solutions, technology partners must strike a balance between leveraging existing systems and embracing new technologies. By prioritizing flexibility and adaptability, Everfox helps organizations streamline operations, improve efficiency, and strengthen their overall posture, ultimately enhancing mission effectiveness, boosting security, and reducing costs.
In addition, technology partners must meet stringent security standards, such as the ever-evolving Raise-the-Bar guidelines for cross-domain security established by the National Security Agency’s National Cross Domain Strategy and Management Office (NCDSMO). The security controls that they impose are designed to improve cross-domain solution security and capabilities from design to use while maintaining operational effectiveness. Everfox continually pushes forward with innovation, including Raise-the-Bar-compliant solutions. We also have the largest Cross Domain product portfolio on the NCDSMO baseline list.