By deploying Microsoft Purview Information Protection (MPIP) security features, users can now add sensitivity labels to their data that encrypt and limit access to approved users at the file level. While Flank Speed has been authorized for CUI for some time, PEO Digital is happy to deliver enhanced controls for specific data COIs, beginning with the Navy Nuclear Propulsion Information (NNPI) community.

The NNPI community has additional data protection requirements above and beyond regular CUI, which has been handled by using separate email and file servers on prem. Using MPIP, sensitivity labels and data-loss protection rules, NNPI has been authorized to be processed in Flank Speed, as long as the user has gone through the enablement process.

As the first targeted COI, the NNPI community, is on the journey to migrate their data from on-prem NMCI servers to Flank Speed.

“The first step focuses on modernizing legacy capabilities to protect files and e-mails,” said Kyle Denton, an NNPI lead champion from the Naval Shipyards. “From there, adding new capabilities, like Power Platform, will revolutionize nuclear ship and sub maintenance.”

The cloud provides increased protections for data by adding zero-trust security controls throughout the environment, including encryption, managing access to COI data and automated monitoring of the data. These controls provide granular detail into the security of each file in the cloud and control who has access to files depending on how they are accessing the environment.

For example, the NNPI security group blocks users from accessing Unclassified NNPI data (U-NNPI) from the internet, referred to as a Flow 3 connection. For access, a user must be directly connected to a Navy network port or connected through a Virtual Private Network (VPN), known as Flow 1 or Flow 2, respectively.

Previously, controlling access to NNPI data required maintaining physically separated services and storage within the Navy's enterprise environment. Using MPIP, the Flank Speed COI development team has successfully established object-level security controls for NNPI COI users. Improved information security and other technology delivered in Flank Speed significantly expand the user's ability to securely access and share information, both within the Flank Speed tenant and with external partners in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.

"Through delivery of the NNPI COI, PEO Digital and the development team have significantly improved the NNPI user's ability to share information across the enterprise while maintaining the high level of security required to ensure information protection," said Pat Miller, the Enterprise IT Manager for Naval Reactors.

By leveraging Flank Speed’s modern solutions, users will be able to develop automated processes, build streamlined databases and collaborate across their organization with U-NNPI data – all while only using a single Flank Speed identity.

For example, users, can:

• Host a U-NNPI file in SharePoint Online and allow multiple authorized users to edit the file, eliminating the need to email multiple versions back and forth;

• Develop an automated workflow to notify stakeholders when they need to provide input or a signature on a document, rather than relying on legacy processes; and,

• Access their data through Flank Speed mobile phones or an enhanced experience with NNPI Nautilus Virtual Desktop (NVD) from NNPI authorized devices.

PEO Digital and Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) 08 are coordinating to deploy this capability with robust input from the NNPI community.

“The partnership with NAVSEA 08 allowed us to create a very focused Integrated Product Team (IPT) with a charter to make sure all current and upcoming requirements are fully vetted, tested and automated for enhanced user experience, and the team has delivered that,” said Rajan Sharma, Portfolio Manager, Digital Workplace Services.

In the coming months, PEO Digital and NAVSEA 08 will expand the Flank Speed COI capability to the entire NNPI enterprise. Commands will determine their implementation timeline and will be responsible for moving their own data to the cloud, to ensure all stakeholders are ready to migrate. PEO Digital is ready to provide many tools to support the commands on their migration, including training, migration tools and communication templates.

“We couldn't have done it without them,” said Denton, stressing the importance of the partnership. “PEO Digital’s End User Adoption team has inspired and guided us through exercises, helping us create our own NNPI Champion community.”

The team has numerous resources available for commands and users to familiarize themselves with the capability and the implementation timeline. Local NNPI Champions have been an integral part of the implementation and are very knowledgeable on the specifics of what Flank Speed offers. Additionally, the U-NNPI Knowledge Center on the Flank Speed Hub contains resources, including data migration instructions, user requirements and points of contacts to aid users in their Flank Speed journey.

The implementation team is eager for the NNPI community to adopt this capability and will continue to add more services in Flank Speed to further benefit organizations in achieving their goals.

About PEO Digital

The Program Executive Office for Digital and Enterprise Services (PEO Digital) delivers services throughout the Department of the Navy that improve performance, security, mobility, and customer experience. PEO Digital embraces business agility to ensure quality, accelerate innovation, continuously deliver value, and meet the dynamic needs of the warfighter. Our mission is to provide the Marine Corps and Navy with a decisive information advantage through a modern, innovative, and secure digital experience - any data, any time, anywhere. Our vision is to deliver a world-class digital experience at the speed of mission.