A few years ago, House Report 113-102 addressed certain electromagnetic warfare threats of tactical data links (TDLs). The report said:
“The committee believes that future conflicts against threats with anti-access/area-denial capabilities could see significant threats to U.S. airborne and ground tactical data links. However, the committee is concerned that many such data links are not currently designed or funded to operate against a robust electromagnetic warfare threat.”
The DoD did not take this report lightly. Consequently, considerable time and resources have been focused on shoring up the Link 16 TDL against potential cyberattacks.
Some of the security features currently active in Link 16, include:
- Using jam resistant technology
- Using Cryptographic Variable Logic Labels (CVLL)
- Using encrypted messages
- Using encrypted transmissions
Encryption is an especially germane security feature against cybercriminals. Messages are encrypted by the encryption device for JTIDS (Joint Tactical Information Distribution System) in accordance with a crypto variable specified for message security or MSEC (message encryption).
Transmission security or TSEC (transmission encryption), is provided by the same crypto variable or by a second crypto variable, which controls the specifics of the JTIDS/MIDS (Multifunctional Information Distribution System) waveform. For MIDS, the MSEC and TSEC are provided by a circuit board embedded in the terminal.
Link 16 Cybersecurity Training
Tonex offers a 4-day Link 16 Cybersecurity Crash Course that covers Link 16 TDL operational security and cybersecurity requirements for managing and exchanging Link 16 data.
Participants learn how to analyze security and cybersecurity at node and message level model for various JTIDS J-messages messaging.
Many other topics are also covered including:
— Link 16 Vulnerabilities and Mitigation.
— Procedures for production, distribution, and use of Link 16 COMSEC keying material (KEYMAT) for legacy and crypto modernized Link 16 systems.
— How to administer, manage and troubleshoot hardware, software or services for single, mixed and multiuser Link-16 environment.
Tonex also offers nearly a dozen other courses in Link 16 Training such as:
—Advanced Link 16 Training (3 days),
—Joint Range Extension Applications Protocol Training/JREAP Training Bootcamp (4 days)
—Link 16 Advanced Training/Network Enabled Weapons Bootcamp (4 days)
—Link 16 and MIDS Training Bootcamp (5 days)
— Link 16 Training for Managers
—Link 16 Systems Engineering Training Course (3 days)
—Link 16 Training/Courses/Tactical Data Link Training (3 days)
—Tactical Data Link Training Crash Course/TDL Training Bootcamp (4 days)
–Tactical Data Links (TDL) Testing Training Bootcamp (4 days)
–Variable Message Format (VMF) Training Bootcamp (4 days)
The Tonex Way
- Ratings tabulated from student feedback post-course evaluations show an amazing 98 percent satisfaction score.
- Reasonably priced classes taught by the best trainers is the reason all kinds of organizations from Fortune 500 companies to government’s most important agencies return for updates in courses and hands-on workshops.
- Security and Cybersecurity training class experiences are reinforced with hands-on instruction and practices.
Contact us for more information, questions, comments.