Ensuring seamless operations in even the harshest environments is a necessity today. For organizations operating within the Department of Defense (DoD) space, identity resilience and continuity are essentially non-negotiable — as the stakes are high and often involve life-and-death scenarios. Missions demand resilient systems capable of functioning even in the most extreme conditions.

Military environments categorized as Disrupted, Degraded, Intermittent, and Low-Bandwidth (DDIL) must remain operational regardless of external circumstances. The Department of Defense (DoD) is adapting to DDIL environments, where enemies can strike from far away using non-kinetic means like cyberattacks, GPS jamming, or communications disruption. 

 The DOD example is one of the complexities that DDIL environments bring about and how Strata Identity’s architecture is specifically designed to handle these situations. 

The challenge of DDIL environments

In DDIL environments, robust, resilient solutions are required to address the challenges brought about by defense scenarios. From forward operating bases in remote regions, where connectivity is sporadic, to submarines operating underwater for extended periods, the critical challenge is maintaining operational continuity without compromising security, even when traditional connectivity is compromised or non-existent.

Traditional cloud solutions often struggle in these environments as they rely on continuous connectivity. A break in connection can lead to mission downtime and loss of access to critical apps, potentially putting operations and lives at risk while in-theater. 

In environments characterized by disruption and uncertainty, teams face unique security challenges. DDIL scenarios highlight the need for resilient identity management, as these environments present various hurdles, which include:

Disrupted environments: Networks can fail due to physical attacks or infrastructure degradation. However, it’s essential to maintain secure access to mission-critical applications and systems.

Disconnected operations: Certain operations require functioning systems even when disconnected from the cloud, such as submarines operating underwater or forward bases without a reliable connection.

Intermittent access: In remote or austere locations, network connectivity may be available only sporadically. This can disrupt decision-making processes and limit access to crucial data.

Low bandwidth: Mobile teams operating in forward positions or remote locations often have limited access to high-speed broadband and must rely on secure, lightweight communication methods to maintain operations.

Strata’s approach: air-gapped and disconnected operations

Strata’s innovative approach is different. It’s built from the ground up to provide a solution that performs under pressure while also adapting to the most extreme operational conditions without sacrificing security or functionality.

At the heart of Strata’s architecture is the concept of air-gapped and disconnected operations. Air-gapping is a security measure that isolates systems or networks to prevent external connections. 

Strata’s architecture ensures that operations can continue uninterrupted even if a connection to the cloud is lost. Its design is well-suited for military operations, where reliable communication is often a luxury, not a guarantee.

“This architecture is not an afterthought but a core part of Strata’s DNA,” explained Eric Olden, CEO at Strata Identity. “It was designed with the most extreme environments in mind, such as submarines or remote military bases, ensuring the solution is as resilient as possible. This design philosophy extends to more common but equally critical scenarios, such as retail operations during peak seasons or disaster response situations where connectivity might be compromised.

The benefits of Strata’s DDIL-ready architecture

Strata’s architecture, designed for DDIL environments, offers many key benefits that extend beyond traditional cloud-based systems. 

Here are some of the platform’s key features that address the core challenges of these environments:

Disconnected mode operations: Every Strata Maverics deployment is designed to support “Disconnected Mode” operations, meaning that systems can continue to function independently of planned network disconnections indefinitely. This feature is essential for environments where connectivity is uncertain or entirely unavailable. Even in the event of a complete disconnection, critical systems remain unaffected.

Seamless failover and continuity: One of the standout functionalities of Strata’s architecture is its ability to perform seamless automatic failover and continuity operations. Where traditional systems often require significant downtime when transitioning between environments, Strata eliminates it entirely with automated IDP health checks and IDP-specific failover and failback parameters. Whether transitioning from an unexpected disconnected state in a remote or hostile location back to a connected state or vice versa, the process is immediate and smooth — with no interruptions to critical tasks.

Predictable performance: Beyond continuity, Strata offers highly predictable performance, even under significant loads. Predictability is critical in environments where multiple organizations are running on the same infrastructure, such as during large-scale military operations or retail surges during the holiday season. Strata’s system isolates tenants, ensuring that one entity’s spike in activity doesn’t impact the performance of others sharing the same infrastructure.

Enhanced security with air-gapped operations: In DDIL environments, security is not optional—it’s critical. Strata Maverics includes air-gapped operations, isolating sensitive systems and data from external threats. This level of isolation helps protect against unauthorized access and breaches, ensuring that even in the event of an external attack, the integrity of critical systems is preserved. Air-gapping is a key measure for ensuring systems remain secure and operational even when external networks are compromised.

Tactical edge beyond military operations

While Strata’s architecture is built to suit military and other high-security environments, the tactical edge transcends defense operations. Any organization that operates in challenging, unpredictable conditions and requires robust and resilient operations can benefit from the principles of DDIL and disconnected operations. For example, Strata Maverics can help disaster recovery teams working in remote areas, retail giants preparing for seasonal surges, and industries where high availability is crucial. 

Future-proofing with identity continuity and resilience

As organizations continue to face skyrocketing demands on their operations and security, Strata’s commitment to thriving in DDIL environments sets the bar for resilience and reliability. By focusing on air-gapped and disconnected operations, Strata helps organizations maintain continuity, security, and performance, even in the harshest conditions. 

Whether you’re managing complex military operations or operating a global retail chain, Strata Maverics is designed to meet the challenge and provide long-lasting value. The future belongs to those who can adapt, and with Strata, organizations get the flexibility, continuity, and resilience they need as they manage whatever lies ahead.

Learn more about the Maverics Platform for Identity Continuity.