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Executive Agent for PCB and Electronic Interconnect Technology PrCB Trust Accreditation
May 8, 2017 | Steve Vetter, Richard Snogren and John Timler, Ph.D.Estimated reading time: 1 minute
Abstract
Within the Department of Defense (DoD) supply chain, trust and trusted have become widely used terms and concepts. Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 5000.02, Operation of the Defense Acquisition System, and DoDI 5200.39, Critical Program Information Identification and Protection Within Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, establish the requirements for the Program Protection Plan (PPP) to manage risks to advanced technology and mission-critical systems’ functionality throughout the acquisition lifecycle. DoDI 5200.44, Protection of Mission Critical Functions to Achieve Trusted Systems and Networks defines the protection of mission critical functions to achieve trusted systems and specifically calls out printed circuit boards (PrCBs) as a component of these systems.
The Executive Agent for Printed Circuit Boards and Interconnect Technology (PrCB EA) has been chartered to develop a trusted network of PrCB supply chains, including design, manufacture, and assembly, and therefore is creating the PrCB Trust Accreditation. The PrCB EA has established that in the DoD supply chain for national security systems, trusted status is assigned to a supplier of PrCB related products and/or services when that supplier has consistently demonstrated the ability to meet specified requirements for quality, supply chain management, chain of custody (CoC), and security.
This paper describes the drivers of PrCB Trust Accreditation for the design, manufacture, and assembly of PrCBs and PrCB subsystems. The methodology used to establish the accreditation system and the status of that system are also discussed. This accreditation leverages existing process structures developed and fielded by Defense Logistics Agency (MILPRF-31032/55110), Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) (Trusted Supplier Program), and the Association Connecting Electronics Industries (IPC) specifications and standards. The accreditation places an emphasis on integrity assurance, where historic emphasis targeted quality and reliability.
Insights into the structure of the proposed process methodologies, how the existing structures will be leveraged during the transition toward full implementation, what a potential ideal end-state might look like, and status for the effort are provided.
To read the full version of this article which appeared in the April 2017 issue of The PCB Magazine, click here.
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