DISA’s ‘Gray Network’ Faces Performance Monitoring Challenges

The Defense Information System Agency is exploring a so-called gray network gateway infrastructure that allows remote workers – in theater, on mobile devices, and in field offices – to quickly access classified information using encryption.

Architecturally, gray networks sit between inner and outer VPN tunnels and provide an extra layer of security for encrypted classified data as it moves across an untrusted network. While DISA stressed the urgency of the project, gray network implementation may be easier said than done – especially when it comes to monitoring the performance of network components and traffic hidden behind multiple gateways and dual-encrypted tunnels.