Secure Remote Access Server Architecture

Keith McKenzie
NOAA/NESDIS/OSD

The NOAA Satellite Operations Control Center (SOCC) has a need for remote users to gain access to the satellite house keeping data. The present ground systems do not have the capability to securely protect the operational systems while authenticating the users that need access to the data. SOCC has implemented several methods for remote access in the past, but the information security groups felt additional security was needed. Also, the desire exists to utilize the smart card technology to authenticate the users.

A small group was put together to rapidly develop architecture alternatives. This presentation will discuss the key architectures developed and how they potentially fit into the government wide Bridge CA project. Included will be discussion on how to insure total security of the operational systems while meeting the requirements desired by the users. The four basic architectures discussed are:
1. Push raw satellite telemetry to a Secure Remote Access Server (SRAS),
2. Push the present telemetry displays to a SRAS,
3. Remote the present client terminal in a secure manner, and
4. Push archived commutated telemetry to SRAS which would then be displayed using web technology.

Also evaluated in the architecture study are modifications needed to telemetry ground systems to support SRAS.

Conference Center - Paper Tuesday - 10:30 - 11:00 A.M.