DoD Edge 2.0 Creates Fundamental Asset for Innovation

Edge computing provides the opportunity to transform DoD application delivery, offering localized data analysis, artificial intelligence, process automation, and other digital capabilities.

From the recent TechNet Cyber 2022 conference session titled, DoD Edge 2.0, Joel Moses, Distinguished Engineer & CTO, Systems and Platforms at F5 shared key insights around edge computing and provided the audience with exciting benefits that new, innovative platforms can provide the DoD.

Sharp Contrast to GovCloud-based Infrastructure

Edge 2.0 is very different than current GovCloud-based infrastructure offerings that rely on centralized architectures built only on U.S. soil. The drawback of centralized architectures is that they cannot cost-effectively support the ultra-low latency and extreme throughput demanded by localized workloads at the edge. Instead, cloud capabilities should be localized at the source of business data to form an edge cloud, which places computing, storage, and networking resources where the data is sourced—at the edge of the network.

An edge cloud can securely extend existing DoD cloud solutions—whether in GovClouds or on-prem—to the edge creating a fundamental DoD asset for innovation, enabling information dominance and transforming DoD business processes.

Innovative Platform for DoD

New platform offerings, like F5 Distributed Cloud Services (XC Services), can provide edge solutions for DoD. These type of edge solutions work in concert with on-prem DoD data centers and GovClouds to extend capabilities to the edge.

Specifically, these new solutions provide a secure and distributed cloud environment to deploy, secure, and operate applications across diverse edge environments, including O-CONUS, forward-operating bases or even extending to sensors on airframes. Key capabilities include application and infrastructure management as well as secure connectivity across edge sites and GovClouds.

These new type of platforms can also provide a cloud-native software stack that integrates compute, storage, networking, and security for DoD components to manage their distributed edge workloads. F5 XC Services, for example, provide secure connectivity services that seamlessly connect edge sites to each other and to GovClouds with zero trust and application-level security.

DoD Edge Challenges Addressed

• Alleviation of complexity introduced by monitoring heterogeneous edge environments in different GovClouds and operating a fleet of distributed applications and data
• Creation of consistent, standardized security policies and profiles of distributed infrastructure, apps, and data across GovCloud and on-prem environments
• Delivery of reliable and high-performing connectivity across edge and multi-cloud deployments

Benefits of Edge

• Simplification of Edge Fleet Management and Operations – SaaS-based deployment and lifecycle management of hardware and infrastructure software allows customers to focus on application software development.
• Integrated Security from Edge to Cloud – Protect the fleet of edge infrastructure and apps from vulnerabilities and get real-time visibility and telemetry from edge devices. Secure connectivity across cloud and edge enables end-to-end situational awareness.
• Performance Optimization and Cost Reduction – SaaS-based delivery of platform services, coupled with a high-,performance global network, significantly reduces the cost of deployment, operations and application downtime at the edge.

Technology and innovations like edge computing are rapidly transforming the world. The benefits associated with the changing application landscape are truly gamechangers, but security must not be overlooked. Learn more by reading this blog titled, Redefining Cybersecurity at the Distributed Cloud Edge with AI and Real-time Telemetry.

Chad Davis
Senior Manager, Industry Practice Group, F5