IP security impact on system performance in a distributed real-time environment

Information security in Naval shipboard platforms is becoming increasingly important with the move towards distributed computing, increased automation, and Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) systems. Additionally, there are hard real-time requirements that must be met in a combat system, which is a critical component of the total shipboard platform. Information security services and real-time services are sometimes required simultaneously. However the real-time requirements and the security requirements conflict with one another. NSWC-DD has initiated testing of a security enhancement for the Internet Protocol, IP Security (IPSEC) in a distributed real-time environment. This paper provides a brief overview how IPSEC may be used in the platform of interest and the impact of implementing IPSEC within the kernel of the workstation operating system.