Request for Participation

Internet2 PKI Labs

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) has emerged as a critical technology for the development of advanced network security services, supporting a set of functions ranging from authentication to authorization, from encrypted email to non-repudiation. This is a request for proposals from campus units at Internet2 members to be designated as an Internet2 PKI Lab. These labs are intended to be focal points for research and development work in this important area. It is anticipated that two sites will be selected, one likely focused on human interface issues and one on the underlying technologies. Internet2 will work to direct both research issues and resources to these labs. A major initial investment in equipment and staffing is being provided by ATT, as indicated in the Internet2 press release of March 28, 2000.

The research agenda of the labs will be shaped by a national advisory board of leaders in PKI development and deployment. The board includes academic, corporate and governmental experts who are actively working on many of the uncertain and difficult issues related to building a scalable and effective security infrastructure. Interactions will be via periodic meetings and on-going discussions. The intellectual capital provided by this advisory board is intended to compliment the financial resources offered under this relationship.

It should be noted that the research agenda being advanced by this initiative is a primarily real-world one (see the attached research agenda). It includes issues about scaling, in technical and human dimensions, of basic theoretic approaches. This focus reflects the interests of the Internet2 academic and corporate membership in developing and deploying a security infrastructure in support of advanced applications. Respondents to this RFP should share that interest and have worked effective partnerships with campus and corporate IT organizations.

The two sites selected will receive significant equipment and resources. The initial base of resources include servers and software from ATT, graduate student support, travel funds, and some operational support. The software, COIPP, is a management tool that ATT has developed for internal use that facilitate the scalable operation of a variety of third-party Certificate Authority systems. The resources amount to approximately $100,000 per year per site for two years. We do anticipate additional grants and resources being made available to the labs by corporate partners in support of this work.

The duration of these research relationships will depend on the extent of the need for development within higher education. It is anticipated that the minimum period will be three years. In addition, the financial resources being provided to the Labs at the start are not likely sufficient to set up new research facilities. Unless other funding sources exists, these funds may best be used to augment existing research programs and set new directions for current researchers.

Responses to this request are due June 30. The responses should be brief (3-5 pages), identifying the backgrounds and qualifications of the group, including current research directions. Responses should be sent to ????.

Thank you for your attention.