How NSA Technology Powers Invary
How NSA Technology Powers Invary
In today's rapidly evolving threat landscape, even organizations equipped with advanced defenses like Extended Detection and Response (XDR), Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), and Cloud Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPP) face significant security challenges. A fundamental vulnerability in these defense mechanisms is the assumption that the operating system (OS) remains uncompromised. This presumption creates a critical gap that adversaries can exploit to orchestrate ransomware attacks or data breaches.
Invary addresses this vulnerability by implementing continuous runtime validation of the OS, making it an essential component of a comprehensive Zero Trust architecture. Zero Trust principles dictate that no entity—internal or external—should be inherently trusted without verification. By ensuring operating system integrity at runtime, Invary eliminates dangerous assumptions about system security, thereby enhancing the overall security posture.
The Origins of Invary's NSA-Licensed Technology
The cornerstone of Invary's solution is Linux Kernel Integrity Measurement (LKIM) technology, developed by the National Security Agency's (NSA) Laboratory for Advanced Cybersecurity Research. LKIM was created to address the increasing sophistication of cyber threats targeting core systems, particularly in high-assurance environments. This innovative solution verifies that running system software has not been modified and is authorized to operate on the system. Unlike traditional system integrity technologies, LKIM does not rely on databases of known malware signatures, enabling it to detect modifications resulting from previously unknown attacks.
While initially designed for Linux systems, LKIM's flexibility allowed its adaptation to other platforms, including Microsoft Windows and user space applications. These advances underscored its potential for safeguarding critical systems, particularly in government and military contexts.
Recognizing the transformative potential of this technology, the NSA’s Trusted Mechanisms group initiated a technology transfer program to make LKIM available for broader use through private-sector partnerships. Invary was granted exclusive intellectual property rights to incorporate LKIM into its solutions. This partnership was born out of a shared vision to expand the application of LKIM beyond government systems to address broader enterprise security challenges, while maintaining its effectiveness in mission-critical federal environments.
Bridging NSA Research and Zero Trust Architectures
Invary’s integration of NSA-developed LKIM technology offers a unique and indispensable capability: real-time detection of sophisticated threats and zero-day malware that evade other detection mechanisms. By continuously validating OS integrity at runtime, Invary ensures that no assumption about system security goes unchecked.
This capability is particularly vital for government agencies and organizations handling sensitive data, as it ensures core systems remain uncompromised. Additionally, Invary’s solutions support compliance with industry standards and frameworks such as NIST, MITRE, ATO, CMMC, and FedRAMP.
The Future of Cybersecurity
Invary’s partnership with the NSA not only brought LKIM to the private sector but also redefined the role of runtime integrity in modern cybersecurity. By leveraging this technology, Invary addresses critical gaps in existing security architectures and reinforces the "trust nothing" principle of Zero Trust.
Organizations adopting Invary's solutions gain a robust defense against advanced threats, reduce the risk of ransomware attacks and data breaches, and maintain a resilient security posture in an increasingly complex cyber environment.
