BlueSpace

End user applications that span multiple network domains.

Overview

BlueSpace creates multi-level (MLS) mashup applications that can span multiple networks at different classification levels, such as:

• Unity: An email client that provides a single inbox and calendar spanning Microsoft Exchange servers on different domains.

• Discover: A collaborative search application designed for intelligence analysts to enable searching across multiple domains.

• GeoSpace: Combines separate Common Operating Pictures on different networks into a Unified Operating Picture visualized in Google Earth.

All BlueSpace end user applications have a high-side fused view of metadata such as email headers or unit locations, but clicking to open an item or do an action on it (e.g. reply to an email) automatically spawns a window at the right security domain – so the data stays on the right network.

BlueSpace's middleware strategy facilitates rapid application development, infrastructure consolidation and infrastructure neutrality. By leveraging the ongoing convergence between MLS and virtualization, BlueSpace can leverage COTS applications such as Microsoft Exchange without any code modification.

BlueSpace technology is currently TRL 7 – it is COTS, has been acquired as such in both the US and UK geographies, and is in the process of being accredited. In the US, the initial accreditation will include the BlueSpace Discover application as a module on the AFRL SABER / DTW baseline after an ICD 503 process completes.

What’s Unique about BlueSpace?

• COTS:

  • Status Quo: Heavily custom MLS solutions built on a T&M basis by government funded system integrators.

  • BlueSpace: Currently the only enterprise software company creating Commercial Off-The-Shelf, MLS end user applications.

• Platform Neutral:

  • Status Quo: MLS end user applications tightly coupled (locked) to a single operating system.

  • BlueSpace: Middleware enables BlueSpace end user applications to run on all the major MLS capable desktops, such as SABER/DTW (Solaris) and the HAP/TVE (SE Linux). BlueSpace is also partnered with Green Hills to bring its MLS applications to the Integrity RTOS desktop.

• Windows Interfaces:

  • Status Quo: MLS end user applications run as native UNIX applications with legacy interfaces.

  • BlueSpace: End users access via Microsoft Windows end user interface (leveraging seamless windowing across multiple instances in different domains).

• Embed Middleware for Free:

  • Status Quo: MLS solution is bundled complete with desktops, custom software and services.

  • BlueSpace: The middleware is free to embed on trusted desktop programs’ baseline images, then mission offices can buy licenses to any of the end user applications straight off BlueSpace’s COTS price list.

• Small TCB:

  • Status Quo: Labeling is integrated throughout the application stack, leading to a large Trusted Computing Base.

  • BlueSpace: Leverages existing applications such as Google Earth and Microsoft Exchange without any code modifications – focuses on a mashup layer to combine single level backend applications and services into an MLS user frontend.

• Successful:

  • Status Quo: MLS solutions have been unsuccessful in ‘going mainstream’ for over three decades due to accreditation burden, legacy interfaces, close OS coupling and high cost per seat.

  • BlueSpace: Has come up with a solution that minimizes the TCB, provides modern user interfaces, can run on any platform, and is significantly lower cost.

What should you do?

If you are part of an existing MLS infrastructure office with a nascent or deployed MLS capable desktop population, embed our middleware for free, and significantly enhance the capabilities of your platform for warfighters.

If you are planning an MLS capable desktop roll out (thin client or thick workstation), mandate the capabilities you need through MLS application requirements – see our vendor neutral MLS Infrastructure Guidance white paper.

If you are part of a mission office and think that MLS applications might be helpful to you, make sure that the infrastructure office you rely on knows your appetite for MLS applications and your requirements. Also, contact us. There are accredited MLS capable desktops you can acquire from government PMOs as a service.