**** Abstract submission has concluded. Submissions selected for inclusion in the 2024 DoD AT Conference have been notified.****

2024 DoD Anti-Tamper Conference Theme: 


“Generation Next: An Evolution of AT Protections and the New Paradigm”

Historically, program protection plans were utilized to implement a set of processes and infrastructures that were used to guard assets and protect critical program information (CPI) from exposure. This would have involved the traditional “gates, guards, and guns” approach to ensuring critical technological advancements were not lost. As systems were fielded and lost, it became clear that simply securing assets at bases or depots was insufficient to protect technological and capability advantages. A prime example is the loss in the 1950’s of the AIM-9 air-to-air missile. A deployed AIM-9 failed to detonate and was completely reverse engineered by the Soviets (by recreating every bolt, wire, and screw) into the AA-2 Atoll. This reverse engineering effort significantly degraded a major war fighting advantage and required substantial resources to develop new technology. This capability loss is the perfect reason why new technologies were developed to protect critical program information.

As the AT enterprise passes the 24-year mark, it is a time to look forward to the challenges ahead and to boldly go where no one has gone before. The “Generation Next” conference is an opportunity to facilitate discussion on technological advancements and what AT solutions these Next Generation weapon systems will need to protect the US warfighter advantage while providing for exportability. As stated in the 2022 National Defense Strategy the defense enterprise is called “to incorporate Allies and partners at every stage of defense planning” and to export key weapons systems to ensure Allies and partners have the capabilities they need. To leverage our allies and coalition partners, we find ourselves exporting more weapons systems with advanced capabilities than at any point in history. This focus on design for exportability is crucial for driving down costs and improving coalition fighting forces. We must be ready to face an adversary that continues to aggressively develop new technologies and advance their capabilities through any means available.

The 2024 conference will focus on learning how to protect state-of-the-art technology, provide capability to the warfighter faster, design for exportability, and manage evolving program requirements all with limited funding. The conference will also provide a forum for presentations and discussions on policies, threats, existing government capabilities, and on-going technology development efforts.  
 
 
We are seeking abstract submissions on, but not limited to, the following topics (in no particular order):
1. Anti-Tamper Throughout the DoD Acquisition Lifecycle
  • Anti-Tamper Rapid Development Solutions/Transitioning the Anti-Tamper Solution Development Process to Agile Acquisition Framework
    • How can the Anti-Tamper Community better prepare for and educate new programs?
    • How can programs provide the appropriate AT protections in a rapid deployment cycle without adding undue cost and time delay? How can AT be incorporated on next generation programs with reduced impact on schedule and cost?
    • Case studies, lessons learned, Government and Industry perspectives on challenges resulting from the update of the DoDI 5000.02, Operation of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework (AAF), dated 23 Jan 2020
  • Anti-Tamper Sustainment Solutions
    • How can the AT Community better advise programs on technology refreshes, obsolete parts, new CPI, etc.?
    • Perspectives on planning for Quantum Algorithm (either Quantum Resistant Cryptography and/or Post Quantum Cryptography) upgrades over the life of programs.
    • Case studies, lessons learned, and success stories from Anti-Tamper Sustainment programs and how new programs can learn from ongoing sustainment efforts.
  • How Anti-Tamper can address interoperability/interchangeability as key design drivers?
2. Anti-Tamper and the Microelectronics Landscape:
  • How does Anti-Tamper work with Trusted & Assured Microelectronics (T&AM) effort, Joint Federated Assurance Center (JFAC), CHIPS and Science Act, Microelectronics Commons, and other government microelectronics investments?
  • How to integrate of Anti-Tamper with Cyber, Hardware/Software Assurance: Best Practices, Case studies, etc.
  • How do Anti-Tamper solutions address Supply Chain Risk Management?
  • Anti-Tamper Open Mission System Interface Control Document case studies, integration challenges, recommendations, and best practices.
  • With the rise in adoption of hardware security in the commercial sector, where can the DoD leverage commercial technology and state-of-the-art solutions?
3. Anti-Tamper Model Based Systems Engineering (AT MBSE)
  • How can AT use MBSE to support system requirements, design, analysis, verification, and validation activities?
    • How to develop an industry wide standard for modeling tools/definitions to ensure interoperability, compatibility, and utility?
    • What Anti-Tamper reference architectures are needed to drive improved modeling capabilities?
    • What level of fidelity is required to support agile acquisition processes?
  • How modelling can address HW/SW integration challenges?
4. Additional topics will be reviewed (such as those below), but priority will be given to papers that answer the topics in #’s 1-3, above.
  • Anti-Tamper Best Practices
  • AT Solutions Applied to Space Systems (vehicles, payloads, operational environments)
  • AT Process Maturation
  • AT Use Cases
  • Achieving System Security Engineering with Holistic Program Protection
  • Dynamic/Network/Swarm and Emergent Anti-Tamper Behavior
Abstracts due by 21 July 2023
**** The Abstract Submission deadline has been extended to 21 July 2023****
2024 DoD Anti-Tamper Conference
 
The 2024 Anti-Tamper Conference is soliciting abstracts on a wide range of Anti-Tamper topics of practical value to anyone developing, evaluating, or managing systems with Anti-Tamper requirements. Non-commercial papers from suppliers or universities dealing with new or unique technologies, tools, methodologies, applications, and results are also welcome. Papers will be selected for inclusion in the technical program on the basis of relevance and quality of data, technical importance, and interpretation of results. Papers on Anti-Tamper techniques should cover the specific attacks they are designed to mitigate, and the technique’s Technology Readiness Level (TRL). As the audience for the 2024 Anti-Tamper Conference will be composed of Contractor and Government personnel, all papers and presentations must be non-proprietary. Acceptance is based entirely on the information included in the abstract. The 2024 Anti-Tamper Conference presentations will be approximately 20 minutes in length. Abstracts not selected for oral presentation may be selected for poster sessions. In addition to the technical program a small number of exhibitor/vendor tables will be available on a first come first serve basis.
 
Security
All 2024 Anti-Tamper Conference registrants are required to submit security clearance credentials to AFLCMC/XA-AT. The venue is Johns Hopkins University Kossiakoff Center. The 2024 Anti-Tamper Conference Security level will support presentations and discussion up to SECRET//COLLATERAL. All abstracts must be UNCLASSIFIED or CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION (CUI). The author should state in the abstract if the intent of the presentation will be at the SECRET//COLLATERAL level. Some contractors require substantial time to review and approve release of abstracts and presentations; please allow sufficient time for review.
 
Abstract Submission
Abstract submissions should consist of a white paper with a maximum of two pages. The abstract can include representative images, figures, and references. Please include sufficient detail in the white paper to allow for fair evaluation of the intended presentation. Additionally, the title of the presentation must be Unclassified or CUI. Submissions must include the bulleted information listed below and be provided in the provided format. Any submission that is missing this information will be not considered for inclusion in the 2024 AT Conference.
 
 
 
 
 
 
2024 Anti-Tamper Conference Abstract Submission Required Information Template
 
Author’s complete name, title, and organization (if multiple authors, identify the individual that will be presenting the topic)
 
 
Which abstract topic(s) the submission is supporting  
Classification level of final presentation
 
 
Telephone number, fax number, email address
 
 
Complete mailing address
 
 
 
 
UNCLASSIFIED and CUI Abstract Submission – Review the DoD AT SCG, 30 Jul 2020, to determine if your abstract is UNCLASSIFIED or CUI. The most current version of the DoD AT SCG can be requested via email to AFLCMC.XZZ@us.af.mil. Submit documents as encrypted email to AFLCMC.XZZ@us.af.mil. State “Abstract Submission for the 2024 AT Conference” as the Subject. If the person submitting the abstract is not the author, please be sure that their contact information is also included within the email. If you're not able to send an encrypted email to the above email address, then submit the abstract as follows:
 
  1.  Encrypt the document with a password of your choice. Do not use encryption software, use the encryption provided by the application (Word, .pdf, .ppt, etc.).
  2. Send the encrypted document as an unencrypted email to AFLCMC.XZZ@us.af.mil
  3. Send a follow-up email containing the password to decrypt the document. Contact the Anti-Tamper Education and Outreach Office at 937-255-3577 if you have any questions.
 
Timeline
 
7 July 2023 (firm) - Abstracts due
10 August 2023 - Notifications of acceptance
17 November 2023 – Draft Presentations due
15 January 2024 – Final Presentation due
 
Additional Information
Additional information, including registration details, will be posted on https://at.dod.mil as it becomes available. You are welcome to contact AFLCMC.XZZ@us.af.mil if you have any questions.