[cicm] Benefits of CICM to the Air Force

["PUTNEY, MICHAEL A CTR USAF AFMC ESC/HNCGE" <[e-mail]>]

The AF Cryptographic Modernization Program office believes the utility of CICM lies in the ability to decouple cryptographic modules from the larger system.  This provides for an ability of cryptographic services to be updated on a more frequent basis than the typical long lifespan of various Air Force systems.  In addition in provides flexibility to define a boundary in which the larger system integrator is free to choose from various cryptographic module vendors based on technical and security requirements, but still retain an ability to upgrade if a different vendor provides a better technology in the future.  This is currently not the case typically, because once you select a module vendor you are utilizing that vendors proprietary API and potentially requires the module vendor to assist in writing higher level system software that utilizes the proprietary API.  In summary this standardization effort is critical to achieving a modular, open systems approach in the arena of embedded cryptographic systems.

Michael Putney
Lead Information Systems Engineer (MITRE) 
Air Force Cryptographic Modernization Program Office - ESC/HNCGE