Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: DTRA192-003

Description

To address the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) need for a new quantum-resistant blockchain framework that has the capability to preserve mission-critical enterprise data despite catastrophic nuclear, electromagnetic pulse, and/or cyberwarfare attacks on the United States, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Quantum-resistant Blockchain (QChain) framework and software tool. QChain is based on an integration of POC’s customized, permissioned private blockchain framework with a quantum-resistant encryption mechanism and new, automated services built on top of a blockchain framework for data sharing, verification, and tracking. This integration provides a resilient, survivable, and verifiable real-time data share ecosystem. In Phase I, POC will conduct research; develop QChain’s overall system architecture, design, and algorithms; and demonstrate QChain’s feasibility by assembling and testing a technology readiness level (TRL)-4 quantum-resistant blockchain prototype. In Phase II, We will investigate how to integrate the resilient blockchain framework with existing Department of Defense Continuity of Operations (COOP) infrastructure, develop an advanced, full-scale TRL-6 prototype capable for integration, and experimentally demonstrate QChain performance under cyber-attacks and the sudden physical compromise of the system to verify and validate the security, immutability, and auditability of the total advanced prototype.