Telemetry data from military flight tests often needs to be secured, not only when at rest, but also while in motion across a network or a telemetry link.

The RMF establishes security and privacy controls, and contains more than 800 controls to select from, many of which don't apply to embedded systems.

Since its introduction in 2014, the National Security Agency Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) program has proven very effective in lowering the cost and speeding the accessibility of encryption for critical data-at-rest (DAR).

The wave of commercially developed communications and remote-sensing satellites seeks to balance costs, capability, size, weight, and power consumption in the latest new space designs.

Contested space, where nations compete for military dominance outside Earth’s atmosphere, is driving many military space platforms, but commercial space and small satellites continue to change the way the military suppliers of space electronics approach radiation-hardened component design from testing to deployment.

It’s not just about shielding data drives from shock and vibration; designers also are looking for the latest in speed and capacity, and want encryption to protect data at rest, and security to foil tampering.

The fast growth of small satellites and their lower life cycle and launch costs has created a sizable market for low-cost electronic components that have radiation-resistant characteristics.

Paul Davis looks at the Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) Program, the CSfC approval process and the benefits of being on the CSfC component list.