DCO-Space

Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO-S) for Space is a research and development initiative within the Air Force aimed at providing defensive cyber capabilities to protect USSF mission systems. The program focuses on defensive cyberspace capabilities, computer and network systems security, damage assessment and recovery, cyber threat recognition, attribution, and mitigation, and active response methodologies in response to evolving threats and changes to the cyber environment. The emphasis is on developing tools for the ground segment that implement a combined Development/Security/Operations (DEVSECOPS) framework, which incorporates methodologies, technologies, and tools to deeply embed security best practices into the modern development workflow and tool-chain. The program's specific objectives include developing and deploying both out-of-band (Manticore) and in-band (Kraken) cyber defense tool suites to Space Delta 6 (Cyber Ops) protecting various mission sets such as Protected Communications, Missile Warning, Military Strategic Communications (MILSATCOM), Position Navigation and Timing (PNT), among others.

The FY 2024 request for Program PE 1203040SF has significantly increased to support the urgent need for cyber defense tools to be fielded to USSF Mission Defense Teams. This includes efforts to increase software development to support software development on-board classified mission systems and new data types not in the baseline software. Additionally, the program aims to expand systems engineering and integration support to deploy Manticore systems to additional mission sites in a timely manner. Furthermore, the development of DCO-S tools for the space segment is required to meet security, sustainment, and reach-back requirements for the USSF Cybersecurity Service Provider and Mission Defense Teams. The program also aims to transition space segment DCO-S tools into mission systems and integrate them with Manticore and Kraken to provide comprehensive protection of USSF mission systems necessary to outpace the threat.

In summary, Program PE 1203040SF's specific goals include developing defensive cyberspace capabilities for Space Force missions through research, development, test, acquisition efforts focused on proactive defense, defensive counter cyberspace, cyberspace intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, command and control situational awareness, persistent network operations, decision support, recovery, digital forensics. These efforts are aimed at providing agile cyber integrated space operations that identify, detect, protect against, respond to, and recover from malicious threats to space mission systems.