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Figure 1. WPCS topology.fielding of critical shipboard and shorebasedcommunications systems.As designated by the Joint Chiefs ofStaff, JITC is the only DoD organizationwith the mandate and authority to certifythat DoD IT and National Security Systems(IT/NSS) meet interoperability andnet-readiness requirements for joint militaryoperations.To do this, JITC follows the processesoutlined in Chairman of the Joint Chiefsof Staff Instruction 6212.01D, "Interoperabilityand Supportability of InformationTechnology and National Security Systems."This document establishes policiesand procedures for developing, coordinating,reviewing and approving IT/NSSinteroperability needs.In addition, JITC employs testingmethodologies that conform with DoDDirective (DoDD) 8500.01E, "InformationAssurance" which states that all DoD informationsystems “shall maintain anappropriate level of confidentiality, integrity,authentication, non-repudiationand availability that reflects a balanceamong the importance and sensitivity ofthe information and assets; documentedthreats and vulnerabilities; the trustworthinessof users and interconnecting systems;the impact of impairment or destructionto the DoD information system;and cost-effectiveness.”WPCS assessment activities were conductedat the JITC Indian Head, Md., testfacility from November 2007 throughJanuary 2008. During this period, JITCteamed with SSC Atlantic developers andintegrators. To ensure that WPCS met DoDrequirements, JITC’s evaluation consistedof standards conformance, performance,interoperability and information assurancetest scenarios.During the standards conformancephase, JITC evaluated WPCS componentsin an isolated environment and used testequipment to generate traffic through theWPCS to ascertain whether it conforms toapplicable standards contained in the DefenseInformation Standards Registry.During the performance and interoperabilityphases, JITC integrated the WPCSinto a representative DoD network, andagain used unique test tools to generatetraffic across the network to assess thesystem’s ability to exchange informationwithin an integrated architecture.During the information assurancephase, the JITC assessment team testedWPCS security and its compliance with IApolicies and requirements to allow connectionto a combatant command, DoDnetwork and the Global Information Grid.This test effort validated that the WPCScan interoperate with both the GIG andNavy legacy messaging networks in accordancewith DoD doctrine and policy.The assessment also verified that theWPCS architecture follows a robust defense-in-depthdesign methodology withcareful attention given to maintaining aclear separation of user traffic from managementtraffic.In June 2008, JITC hosted a “WPCSForum” at the Indian Head facility withrepresentation from the Office of the AssistantSecretary of Defense (Networksand Information Integration)/Chief InformationOfficer (ASD(NII)/CIO) WirelessDirectorate, Office of the Chief of NavalOperations, SSC Atlantic, CNIC and NSA.During the meeting, discussion pointsincluded DoD’s use of commercial waveformsand military frequencies withinwireless implementations; the use ofbridging devices in the DoD; future changesto the overarching DoD wireless policy;as well as WPCS testing milestones.JITC testers and subject matter expertsalso provided a demonstration ofthe WPCS capabilities in the JITC wirelesslaboratory.At the forum, Navy Capt. Jon Kennedy,chief of the wireless directorate, statedthat it appears WPCS meets all the DoDwireless local area network requirementsin accordance with DoDD 8100.02, "Useof Commercial Wireless Devices, Services,and Technologies in the Department ofDefense (DoD) Global Information Grid(GIG)." He indicated that the Navy shouldmove forward with the implementationof the system.Kennedy also encouraged JITC and theforum attendees to participate in futureOSD-sponsored wireless working groups.All attendees agreed that the recentWPCS assessment effort clearly serves asa model for future WLAN test events. Asa result, SPAWAR and CNIC will continueto collaborate with JITC for the developmentand certification of future versionsof the WPCS configuration.Heather Meredith serves as a corporate communicationssupport assistant to the JITC outreachdirector.Greg Blanche is the lead test engineer for theWPCS interoperability assessment, as well as otherwireless LAN evaluations.Jackie Mastin is an information systems projectofficer within the JITC GIG infrastructure branchand test lead for WPCS interoperability test efforts.Chris Watson is the JITC outreach director. Heperforms initial oversight of new programs andagreements between JITC and the DoD, federalgovernment and industry partners.CHIPS October – December 2008 59