THE PROBLEM: Online communication is always subject to potential attack from outside adversaries. Transmitted data must remain secure against those attacks under all conditions. Encryption obscures stored and transmitted data from potential threats, but it typically faces limitations when data is sent over untrusted networks. Using a National Security Agency (NSA)-patented cryptographic technology, the agency’s Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) partnered with Forward Edge-AI — a technology company that develops AI-based solutions in support of public safety, national security, and defense — to mitigate those concerns. 

THE SOLUTION: NSA ORTA and Forward Edge-AI used Protocol-Free Encryption Device (PFED) technology to allow trusted, encrypted devices to share data over an untrusted network. PFED is a threat-resistant hardware that can be used for data transmission amongst multiple trusted devices. Previous options have been costly to maintain and upgrade, while still showing significant vulnerabilities. PFED prevents traditionally vulnerable software from ever touching untrusted data, thanks to the redundancy of two encryption layers; if a mistake occurs in one layer, it is protected by the second layer. A PFED-protected interface provides complete confidentiality and isolation, no matter the security levels of the device or networks. 

THE TECH TRANSFER MECHANISM: Benjamin Harvey, a longtime partner of NSA ORTA, contacted his industry colleague, Eric Adolphe, CEO of Forward Edge-AI, about potentially licensing NSA technology for his own company’s development. After reviewing NSA’s portfolio of patents and selecting PFED, Adolphe suggested to NSA ORTA that Forward Edge-AI join the R&D efforts. Forward Edge-AI collaborated with students from Bowie State University (BSU), where Harvey teaches, to conduct R&D on the PFED technology during the spring 2022 semester under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with NSA and BSU. 

THE TECH TRANSFER EXCELLENCE: NSA ORTA’s concerted effort to establish R&D partnerships served as the gateway to this technology transfer effort. The program was a win for all parties involved: NSA de-risked and licensed one of its patented technologies, Forward Edge- AI commercialized federally-funded research to create economic impact, and industry partners participated in the R&D and made technological gains on their own innovations. The successful transfer and licensing of NSA’s PFED technology fulfills the mission of the Department of Defense and NSA ORTA to use agency-developed technology to build the economy and increase our nation’s security. 

THE OUTCOMES: Among this technology’s many benefits, it is low-maintenance and cost-effective, requires no external key management, keeps data transferred on public networks confidential, protects communication paths against network and system attacks, integrates easily into existing networks, improves security posture, and meets high assurance standards. As a result of Forward Edge-AI’s pursuit of commercial partners, it was able to release Isidore Quantum™, which leverages autonomous AI software and a patented hardware architecture to meet the quantum-resistant security requirements of the space industry and other government industries. Compared to most current Internet Protocol security systems that are not quantum-resistant, Isidore Quantum™ provides extra defense at a smaller size and more affordable price. Lumen Technologies, which provided datasets for testing, has become an official reseller, while Microsoft planned to sell a version of the technology in its marketplace by 2025. Other licensees include DTECH Labs and the U.S. Army, and an e-commerce store has also been established for direct-to-consumer sales.