The U.S. Army has commenced final testing for a reprogrammable cryptographic module that works as a universal chip that can support communications for computers, satellites, radios, unmanned aerial systems and ground infrastructure, AFCEA reported Wednesday.

The REprogrammable Single Chip Universal Encryptor (RESCUE) utilizes encryption algorithms from the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) and National Security Agency (NSA) to ensure baseline compliance. The Army’s Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center leads the RESCUE program.

Brian Lyttle, chief of the cybersecurity and information assurance division at the C5ISR Center, said RESCUE is designed to support the installation of updates in the field to mitigate the need for depot-level maintenance. The team is concluding initial testing activities for RESCUE and is modifying its design to address potential issues, he noted.

According to Lyttle, RESCUE has dual-use potential and can support industry operations such as power, energy, healthcare and finance. He added that he envisions cooperative research and development or licensing agreements for the encryption technology in the future.

In July, the Army released the draft solicitation for Next-Generation Load Device-Medium program which seeks a technical data package for RESCUE that meets cryptography requirements for the platform’s subcomponents.

Zscaler has launched a security assessment program to enable organizations to assess the SolarWinds supply-chain attack, analyze potential impact on their organization and provide adherence to Zscaler’s recommended best practices, the company recently reported.

“SolarWinds will be remembered as a historic cybersecurity event. It highlights that as organizations embrace digital transformation, they have increased exposure to risk if they rely on traditional approaches to security,” said Jay Chaudhry, CEO, chairman and founder, Zscaler.

Zscaler’s Zero Trust Exchange Platform will modernize enterprise security by reducing the attack surface, preventing attackers from moving freely across the organizations and stopping command-and-control activity to limit the impact supply chain attacks.

The company’s cloud security platform will deliver comprehensive visibility into enterprise internet traffic. It processes over 150 billion daily requests to prevent threats. The Zscaler Security Assessment will also help organizations gain immediate visibility into their security posture and provide support to protect enterprises.

In addition, the Zscaler Security Assessment Program will educate organizations on attacks, leveraging security experts to guide companies through Zscaler’s recommended best practices and how to implement them.

Zscaler’s security experts will also provide advice for securing workload to Internet traffic and perform a security policy audit to ensure organizations adhere to recommended best practices for protection.

“Zscaler is leading the way to transform legacy network security to a  zero trust architecture where you securely connect people and applications. As a trusted advisor, we help our customers and partners securely protect themselves from the threat activity today, and the attacks of tomorrow,” Chaudhry added.

About Zscaler

Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) accelerates digital transformation so customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange protects thousands of customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location. Distributed across more than 150 data centers globally, the SASE-based Zero Trust Exchange is the world’s largest in-line cloud security platform.

EMURGO Academy and INTELLEQ have partnered to deliver Blockchain ecosystem across the nation by providing training and consulting services. The companies will work to build capacity through awareness programs and training initiatives. The partnership will also mentor and consult with start up’s in Blockchain.

“IntelleQ, in partnership with Emurgo Academy, are providing a wide range of courses on Blockchain. These courses are surely going to help transform business processes and enhance mission delivery in the Commercial and Federal Government sectors in the USA,” said Chandra Sabbavarpu, Member, INTELLEQ.

The partnership will offer training courses to developers, students, universities, professionals and leaders to help expand blockchain technology. “This collaboration will also help immensely to build a complete Blockchain Ecosystem in the USA,” Sabbavarpu added.

This strategic business expansion aligns with both EMURGO’s and INTELLEQ philosophy and mission to drive the adoption of blockchain ecosystem.

“EMURGO would be able to leverage its expertise in blockchain and AI/ML to ensure that we are able to train and do capacity building and mentor young aspirants to foster blockchain adoption in USA,” said E. Venkatesan, CEO EMURGO Academy.

The U.S. Air Force's research arm will demonstrate a new helmet system designed to support nighttime personnel recovery missions. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) will use the CubCrafters XCub aircraft to test the Low Altitude Sensing Helmet (LASH) system at St. Mary’s County, Maryland, in spring, the military service branch said Sunday.

LASH includes night vision goggles and a thermal camera to help pilots perform low-speed flights for personnel recovery missions at night. The experiment supports Project Lysander that USAF initiated to create a way of rescuing personnel in either protected or unprotected locations.

Darrel Hopper, project lead at the 711th Human Performance Wing, said LASH is made to provide the situational awareness needed for these operations that require slow, low-altitude night flight.

USAF's Combat Operations in Denied Environment program found that large aircraft cannot effectively perform these recovery missions, and Air Combat Command determined the smaller CubCrafters XCub suitable to test LASH.

“If we can demonstrate that the XCub can be flown safely at night at low speed and low altitude using the LASH night vision aids, then we can expand LASH system kit use to other types of short takeoff and landing general aviation aircraft," Hopper said.

USAF expects LASH to be operational in 2022, given that the planned schedule is met.