The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has issued a request for proposals posted on a DOD Web page in which it requires “a secure messaging system that can provide… one time eyes only messages.”
The main objective of the RFP is to create a secure messaging and transaction platform that separates the message creation from the transfer (transport) and reception of the message, using a decentralized messaging backbone to allow anyone anywhere the ability to send a secure message, or conduct other transactions across multiple channels traceable in a decentralized ledger, according to DARPA.
The DARPA request for proposals is aimed at building a messaging platform that the military could use for secure communication ranging from procurement to intelligence. To prevent cyberattacks and build a more secure platform, DARPA is eyeing a messaging service that not only taps standard encryption used by other secure messaging services such as, WhatsApp but also communicates through a decentralized protocol like blockchain.
There is a critical DoD need to develop a secure messaging and transaction platform accessible via web browser or standalone native application, ccording to DARPA. The platform separates the message creation, from the transfer of the message within a secure courier to the reception and decryption of the message.
The messaging platform will transfer messages via a secure decentralized protocol that will be secured across multiple channels, including but not limited to:
- Transport protocol
- Encryption of messages via various application protocols
- Customized blockchain implementation of message deconstruction and reconstruction and decentralized ledger implementation.
This project will happen in three phases:
PHASE I: Create a specific decentralized messaging platform built on the framework of an existing blockchain framework.
PHASE II: Develop, test and evaluate a working prototype with the following features:
- Decentralized back end blockchain implementation
- Data aggregation, reconstruction
- Data transport protocol implementation
- End user application implementation (alpha)
- Conduct simulated MIPR transactions using the decentralized ledger
- Allow transparent regulatory review of DoD legal findings and contracts
- Significant reduction in time for regulatory overview of various transactions
- Tracking of aircraft or satellites with simulated telemetry or air traffic control data
- System Admin and Monitoring tools and engine
- Integration of hardware or edge of network hardware components
PHASE III DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The DoD requires a secure messaging system that can provide repudiation or deniability, perfect forward and backward secrecy, time to live/self delete for messages, one time eyes only messages, a decentralized infrastructure to be resilient to cyber-attacks, and ease of use for individuals in less than ideal situations.
