Reclaiming Bus-based Systems During Compromise (Red-C)

The Reclaiming Bus-based Systems During Compromise (Red-C) contract aims to develop innovative algorithms for creating self-healing systems within critical bus-based hardware architectures, primarily targeting Department of Defense applications. The project focuses on retrofitting firmware on individual components to enable them to act as forensic sensors, which work collaboratively to monitor peers, detect cyber-attacks, and facilitate real-time repair and inoculation. This approach addresses significant vulnerabilities in current bus-based systems, notably the risks posed by cascading implicit trust attacks and the scarcity of forensic data during system compromises. The goal is to establish a resilient, firmware-based solution that can be deployed on existing hardware, thereby enhancing system security and recovery capabilities without requiring extensive hardware modifications. The solicitation, issued by DARPA with the number HR001125S0005, was posted in January 2025, with a response deadline set for April 10, 2025. The project falls under NAICS code 541715, indicating a focus on research and development in computer programming, software, and systems. Interested organizations can contact the program via the provided email address for further details. The initiative underscores DARPA’s commitment to advancing cybersecurity measures for critical defense systems by enabling more robust detection, repair, and resilience mechanisms directly embedded within existing hardware infrastructures.