Darpa seeks to improve security of embedded computer systems

February 3rd, 2012

Embedded computer systems play a part in every aspect of DoD technology. The software in these systems does everything from managing large physical infrastructures, to running peripherals such as printers and routers, to controlling medical devices such as pacemakers and insulin pumps. Networking these embedded computer systems enables remote retrieval of diagnostic information, permits software updates, and provides access to innovative features, but it also introduces vulnerabilities to the system via remote attack.

“The High-Assurance Cyber Military Systems (HACMS) program seeks to create technology for the construction of systems that are functionally correct and satisfy appropriate safety and security properties,” explained, Kathleen Fisher, DARPA program manager. “Our vision for HACMS is to adopt a clean-slate, formal method-based approach to enable semi-automated code synthesis from executable, formal specifications.”

In addition to generating code, HACMS seeks a synthesizer capable of producing a machine-checkable proof that the generated code satisfies functional specifications as well as security and safety policies. A key technical challenge is the development of techniques to ensure that such proofs are composable, allowing the construction of high-assurance systems out of high-assurance components.

Key HACMS technologies include semi-automated software synthesis systems, verification tools such as theorem provers and model checkers, and specification languages. HACMS aims to produce a set of publicly available tools integrated into a high-assurance software workbench, widely distributed to both defense and commercial sectors. In the defense sector, HACMS plans to enable high-assurance military systems ranging from unmanned ground, air and underwater vehicles, to weapons systems, satellites, and command and control devices.

To increase awareness of this program and attract potential researchers, DARPA has scheduled a Proposers’ Day Workshop on February 21, 2012.

The Proposers’ Day Workshop will introduce the research community to this effort and its goals, explain the mechanics of a DARPA research program and the objectives and planned milestones of this particular effort, and encourage collaborative arrangements among potential researches to ensure teams have the required expertise, facilities and capabilities to conduct research and development in support of HACMS. Interested researchers must register for the Proposers’ Day Workshop by close of business February 16, 2012. Additional information regarding the workshop may be found on the Special Notice here.

More information:
http://www.darpa.m … stems_(HACMS).aspx

Provided by DARPA