Data Security in Intermittent, Low, and No Bandwidth Environments

As The US Department of War (DOW) embraces cloud technology to achieve secure, persistent access to information across mission-critical environments, security remains a core concern. In the shift towards leveraging cloud solutions, it is clear that high-stakes, Denied, Disconnected, Intermittent, and Limited (D-DIL) environments need a resilient and compliant identity security infrastructure that provides cloud and self-managed deployment flexibility.

Iron Bank Containers

Enter Iron Bank, a secure, centralized repository of hardened container images, that have been pre-approved for use by the DOW. This initiative embodies the DOW's commitment to cloud security by ensuring every container image meets the highest standards for cybersecurity.

Let's explore the importance of Iron Bank, the role of ICAM in securing DOW's environments, and what our Iron Bank containers mean to advancing the DOW's security objectives.

Ping Identity's Iron Bank Containers

Ping Identity's acceptance in Iron Bank brings an additional, secure layer of ICAM capabilities to the DOW, helping to meet the specific security requirements of defense operations. This milestone signals the DOW's commitment to secure cloud innovation, aligning with Ping Identity's mission of advancing Zero Trust and secure cloud environments with its IL5 authorization.

With Ping Identity solutions available in Iron Bank, the DOW gains access to a high-assurance ICAM solution that directly supports Platform One and DevSecOps practices. Here's what Ping Identity's Iron Bank inclusion means for DOW stakeholders:

• Feature and Code Parity: Ping Identity deploys the same solutions in the Iron Bank containers that currently run in IL5/FedRAMP High. This guarantees the DOW can configure once and deploy rapidly for ever evolving mission theaters. There is no compromise in features when using the IronBank containers, and the sync, when available, between the deployed containers and an IL5 instance of Ping Identity will be seamless.
• High-Trust Identity Solutions: Ping Identity provides multi-factor authentication (MFA), single sign-on (SSO), and adaptive authentication—all essential to maintaining secure, manageable access across DOW environments. As the DOW expands its cloud footprint, these capabilities help mitigate risks by ensuring only verified identities access sensitive data and applications.
• Speed and Security in Deployment: With Iron Bank's DOW-wide reciprocity, the Ping Identity solutions are cleared for use in DOW IL5 and FedRAMP environments, reducing time-consuming security evaluations. This means that DOW teams can deploy Ping Identity's solutions with confidence, even in D-DIL environments, supporting rapid, secure identity management at the tactical edge.
• Support for Evolving Mission Requirements: Ping's ICAM solutions align with the DOW's cloud security goals, offering flexibility and resilience. From remote tactical missions to on-base operations, Ping Identity's tools allow DOW personnel to authenticate securely and access mission-critical resources where and when needed.
• Facilitating Zero Trust: By integrating ICAM tools, the DOW can accelerate its Zero Trust strategy, which centers on verifying every user and device before granting access. This aligns with the DOW's Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS) Cloud Strategy, which prioritizes protecting data while enabling secure information sharing in austere environments.

Why Iron Bank Matters

The DOW's adoption of cloud computing brings a monumental shift in operational capabilities, enabling data-driven decisions and operational agility even at the tactical edge. However, secure cloud adoption for the DOW also requires an infrastructure resilient against evolving cyber threats, especially when deployed in highly contested environments. This is where Iron Bank's role is pivotal.

Iron Bank serves as the DOW's central, authoritative source for digitally signed, hardened open-source and commercial container images. By providing DOW-wide reciprocity across all classifications, Iron Bank not only establishes a consistent security standard across defense operations, but also significantly reduces the time needed to clear containers for deployment. This DOW-standard repository ensures all approved containers meet the same rigorous security and compliance benchmarks, allowing the DOW to deploy innovative solutions more quickly and securely.

In tactical, disconnected environments, Iron Bank becomes even more critical, as it ensures the deployment of secure applications in places with limited connectivity and heightened cyber risk. For the DOW, Iron Bank enhances operational flexibility, giving leaders confidence that all containerized software, whether used domestically or abroad, meets the same security standards.

ICAM: A Key Component in DOW's Security Architecture

ICAM serves as a fundamental security measure, particularly in a hybrid cloud-enabled military infrastructure with some self-managed requirements. By managing user identities and access, ICAM ensures only verified, authorized users can access DOW systems, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized data access.

ICAM capabilities include robust identity verification processes, credential management, and access control systems, which collectively protect against insider threats and external adversaries alike. This is especially important in D-DIL environments, where compromised identities or credentials can lead to severe operational and data security risks. ICAM enables the secure sharing of information in high-risk, geographically dispersed environments through:

1. Zero Trust Security: With ICAM, the DOW can implement Zero Trust policies that verify every user and device before granting access. This approach is crucial for DOW environments, where breaches can jeopardize missions, especially in high-stakes or remote locations.
2. Seamless User Experience (UX): Even in constrained environments, ICAM ensures secure, low-friction user access, helping personnel maintain focus on their objectives without constant access barriers.
3. Cross-Environment Access Consistency: With ICAM, users across various mission theaters can access the data and applications they need, no matter the classification or location, fostering unified mission planning and execution.

A Path Forward: The Future of DOW Cloud Security

Ping Identity's inclusion in Iron Bank marks an important step in enhancing the DOW's ICAM hybrid deployment capabilities with a secure, resilient ICAM solution. As the DOW continues to expand its hybrid deployment strategy to support high-demand, data-driven missions, our capabilities play an integral role in providing secure, verified access across all domains.

Iron Bank is essential to the DOW's secure deployment vision, and Ping Identity's ICAM solutions supports that vision by ensuring verified, secure access is available wherever it's needed. As the DOW navigates the future of hybrid deployment security, tools like Iron Bank and Ping Identity's ICAM solutions will be critical to safeguarding mission success and protecting our national defense infrastructure.