PROCESSORS

ROME, NY -- Air Force Research Laboratory engineers have successfully completed participation in a six-month test program for the next-generation database and Internet server being developed by Oracle Corp. Evaluation of technology focusing on network security was the primary goal of participation in Oracle’s "Beta Test Program for Version 9i." Under the auspices of its Joint Battlespace Infosphere (JBI) program, the AFRL Information Directorate focused its efforts on ensuring the latest major release of Oracle software adheres to stringent Air Force and Department of Defense guidelines for security of data generated and stored in mission-critical command and control (C2) information systems. Security issues remain a high priority as Air Force C2 legacy systems undergo re-engineering and a move towards using open commercial product-based architectures and standards that are based on the internet and World Wide Web. The Department of Defense has adopted internet-like technology to support command and control of worldwide military and humanitarian operations. The directorate has numerous technology programs addressing information management issues, but the JBI is one of its flagship efforts. Originally described by the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) in a 1998 report and refined a year later, the JBI is a combat information management system that provides individual users with the specific information required for their functional responsibilities during crisis or conflict. The SAB is a committee that provides independent guidance and insight to Air Force senior leadership on science and technology for continued air and space dominance. One of the panel’s main recommendations in its 1999 report was to "focus the AFRL, other Service research labs, and battlelabs on evaluating and applying commercial technologies for the JBI." Participation in the Oracle 9i beta effort was an implementation of the SAB’s guidance to develop the JBI by evaluating and incorporating suitable commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products. AFRL leveraged and extended its in-house expertise by applying for 9i Beta Test Site status in January. In its proposal, the directorate team identified security as the project focus area and generated stress tests and remediation plans. The directorate was selected in February as one of a small number of Oracle beta sites located worldwide. To augment the existing team, AFRL brought on additional Oracle technical support from the company’s Advanced Products Group (APG) Reston, Va., to aid during beta testing. This joint participation between industry and government research and development teams strengthened deep-rooted technical ties dating back to the mid-1980’s and the work accomplished in producing security-related or "trusted" database products. "Oracle has a rich history of working closely with Air Force engineers on leading edge programs such as the JBI," said Eric Amberge, Northeast Regional Manager for Oracle's Advanced Programs Group. "This Beta test is an excellent example of real government/industry interaction on the COTS leading edge. The AFRL cadre and their beta test findings were both outstanding." "Participating in the Oracle 9i Beta program gave us a great opportunity to continue our work with Oracle in the security area and influence future commercial product releases," said Charles Flynn, lead engineer from the Information Directorate. "Oracle is working to improve secure access to information and developing products which exhibit a lot of appeal to the military command and control systems designers." "This effort allowed us to get in on the ground floor six months before commercial release and help Oracle refine their security products in order to help meet JBI technical challenges," said Thomas A. Clark, program manager of the effort in the directorate’s JBI Office. "We have found a lot of COTS products are not really addressing security issues to the extent that Oracle has in the past and continues to do. This effort allowed us to evaluate a next-generation commercial product and influence its applicability to JBI."