Enhanced Military Security & Flexibility with Linux and Panasonic TOUGHBOOK

Hubert, the Red Hat Enterprise Linux certification for TOUGHBOOK devices is crucial, especially for military applications. Why is that? 

In our experience, integrators and customers frequently install Linux on their own, because it allows them to quickly ensure their devices are optimised for security and solutions development. 

When using the non-Enterprise version of Linux, however, the seamless interaction between TOUGHBOOK devices and applications cannot be guaranteed, which can also affect security patches and updates. This makes support and maintenance in the field more difficult. 

With the Red Hat Enterprise Linux certification, TOUGHBOOK users have peace of mind that they can safely operate Linux, without compromising functionality or support.

What are the typical military requirements for IT infrastructure and hardware?

Modern troops require robust IT and communication devices that meet the highest reliability, performance, and safety standards – whether they are undertaking exercises, operational and logistics planning, or are on the frontline. They must also be able to easily operate their devices when not connected to military networks.

Together, Panasonic TOUGHBOOK and Red Hat Enterprise Linux deliver the agility and support necessary for securing mission-critical applications and data for the military.

What are the key aspects of certification?

Setting clear service level agreements (SLAs) and building a close relationship with device manufacturers is key, as is an open channel of communication. We work alongside Panasonic to continuously develop Red Hat Enterprise Linux, ensuring future security patches can be easily upgraded on its TOUGHBOOK devices. Long-term support is another aspect; this runs for 10 years as standard for a major release – a typical lifespan for military IT equipment – and can be extended per customer requests. 

Can you give some examples of the use of Red Hat Enterprise Linux?

One example is that a fully-autonomous reconnaissance drone can collect data during a mission, sending it in real-time back to operatives using a Panasonic TOUGHBOOK device. Machine learning models then use this data to subsequently make decisions without human input. 

In another example, the Reparto Sistemi Informativi Automatizzati – the IT department within the Italian Air Force – has mapped a mini date centre at the deployed edge level. Thy were looking to optimise network connectivity and data bandwidth for faster decision-making, and increase on-the-ground support. This resulted in a scalable offline architecture for applications that can be extended with Red Hat Enterprise Linux by adding more hardware.