- The United States Navy is looking for private sector partners to advance its “PARANOID” blockchain technology
- PARANOID has been designed to strengthen software security against cyberattacks during development and deployment
- The Navy has aimed to collaborate with private experts to refine and enhance PARANOID’s capabilities
The United States Navy is on the lookout for private sector partners to engage in a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) aimed at advancing its innovative “PARANOID” blockchain technology. This technology, formally known as the Powerful Authentication Regime Applicable to Naval Operational Flight Program Integrated Development program, is designed to fortify software security against cyberattacks during both the development and deployment phases. The US Navy aims to collaborate with private sector experts to further refine and enhance the capabilities of PARANOID.
Blockchain to Help Combat Cyber Threat
PARANOID was developed by the Naval Air Warfare Center’s Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) at Lakehurst, New Jersey, and was initially created to secure avionics software for the US Navy. However, its developers quickly recognized the broader potential of this technology, realizing that it could enhance security for any software development project where safeguarding against cyber threats is a priority.
The core function of PARANOID is to ensure the integrity of software throughout its development lifecycle. This is achieved through a robust verification process that leverages blockchain technology. At each step of the development process, files are verified across multiple nodes, creating a secure and transparent ledger of all activities. This ledger records every action taken by developers, whether it involves writing new code, making edits, or handling files.
The security offered by PARANOID is particularly vital in an era when cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated. If malicious actors attempt to compromise the software during its development—by editing, replacing, or deleting code or files—the system flags and rejects these unauthorized changes.
The immutable database maintained by PARANOID on the blockchain ensures that only verified and legitimate changes are accepted, making it exceptionally difficult for hackers to infiltrate and tamper with the software.
Navy Wants Secure Development Environment
By pursuing CRADA partnerships, the US Navy aims to collaborate with private sector experts to further refine and enhance the capabilities of PARANOID. Such collaborations are expected to not only bolster the security measures in place for naval software but also extend the benefits of this advanced technology to other critical areas of software development.
The ultimate goal is to create a secure development environment where the integrity of software is uncompromisingly maintained from inception through deployment.This initiative underscores the Navy’s commitment to staying ahead of cyber threats and ensuring that its technological infrastructure remains resilient and secure. By leveraging the expertise and innovation of private sector partners, the Navy hopes to push the boundaries of what’s possible in software security, setting new standards for protecting sensitive and mission-critical software from cyberattacks.
