Technical Architecture Secure Messaging Design for BT

The Challenge

In 2004, BT was a partner in the Radii consortium bidding to win the Defence Information Infrastructure Future (DII (F)) programme, a £4bn, ten-year UK MoD procurement to provide a common platform for UK forces. Part of the procurement process involved a demonstration of future capability, to be assessed during the 2004 Joint Warrior Interoperability Demonstration (JWID). The MoD set strict accreditation criteria for the consortia, including the ability to undertake full tactical command and control for national deployed headquarters, interoperability between battlefield communication units and integration with legacy key MOD systems such as BOWMAN, Joint Command System Logistics (JCS LOG) and the Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS).

Potential solutions were required to meet the accreditors’ expectations of a multi-security domain configuration running at Secret and Confidential, with domain interoperability between the two. This requirement was subject to official information assurance criteria specifically IM3 and the code of connections specification.

BT was keen to demonstrate an innovative approach whilst ensuring that the prospective solution was capable of integrating with the MoD’s legacy systems. At the same time, the MoD’s requirements were evolving during this period and the solution design had to be inherently flexible to accommodate changes fast and efficiently.

In recognition of the need for subject matter experts with skills in military messaging and information assurance, BT engaged Nexor to assist in understanding the deliverables for the demonstration and how these would be translated within the overall scheme of the DII proposal. Nexor’s involvement with and understanding of legacy MoD systems was also valuable for the exercise.

The Nexor Solution

Over four months, Nexor provided support to BT on high grade messaging and security policy theory and practice, in line with UK accreditation guidelines. Firstly, a technical architect was embedded into the bid team to advise on security matters up to and above Secret. Secondly, consultants were tasked with architecting, building, delivering and supporting the extensive demonstration environment at JWID based on Nexor technology. In summary, Nexor’s contribution included:

• System architecture design and services
• Messaging, directory and trust services
• The Master Scenario Events List
• Nexor COTS component integration and configuration

The Nexor team worked both at BT premises and at Portsdown West, and was recognised to be flexible and professional in a demanding and changing environment.

The Results

Radii’s demonstration at JWID was deemed to be successful and BT was able to move forward with confidence in its understanding of the high grade messaging challenges of the programme.