The U.S. Navy has expanded its efforts to secure digital infrastructure by partnering with Veridat to commercialize a blockchain-based platform known as PARANOID, originally developed by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD). This collaboration follows the Navy’s previous announcement seeking private-sector partners to broaden the capabilities of PARANOID, which stands for Powerful Authentication Regime Applicable to Naval OFP Integrated Development.
The core objective behind the initiative is to counter growing cyber threats and vulnerabilities in software systems, particularly in military environments. PARANOID was built to ensure the security and authenticity of software across its entire lifecycle. The platform acts as a blockchain-enabled system that verifies and records every action in the software development process, aiming to prevent unauthorized alterations that could compromise mission-critical technologies.
Veridat entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Navy to co-develop, integrate, and adapt PARANOID for broader civilian use. Company leadership explained that the Navy had been actively searching for a commercialization partner to scale the framework beyond military scenarios, and Veridat was selected to fulfill that role. Their shared vision is to apply this technology to a range of industries where transparency and tamper-resistance are vital.
As military systems increasingly rely on software—impacting everything from aircraft to defense protocols—the risks associated with software manipulation have become more pronounced. The PARANOID system addresses these concerns by providing an immutable digital log that records all development activities. This log captures each instance of code writing, editing, compiling, and modifying, thereby creating a transparent history of the software’s evolution.
Before software is deployed, the final version is cross-checked against this blockchain-based ledger. Any deviations or unauthorized changes trigger alerts, preventing the software from being implemented. This system not only enhances security in defense applications but also lays the groundwork for broader industry standards in secure software development.
Veridat’s ongoing work with the Navy is transforming the platform from a static system into one capable of real-time process monitoring. The firm described this evolution as moving from mere snapshots to a continuous, video-like recording of actions. This transition supports stronger cyber resilience by enabling dynamic and uninterrupted tracking of every transaction or workflow step.
Although PARANOID was conceived for military defense, its potential reaches well beyond. Veridat has identified opportunities in sectors such as luxury goods, supply chain management, and artificial intelligence. The firm believes that the platform’s verification capabilities could significantly improve data integrity and traceability in these industries, with particular emphasis on the security of AI systems.
One of the more promising applications lies in resolving the “black box” issue in AI. This refers to the opaque nature of decision-making in many AI models, which often leaves even developers unclear about how specific outcomes are reached. Through immutable and verifiable logs, PARANOID could offer greater transparency in AI training and deployment, addressing growing concerns around misinformation, fraud, and biased algorithmic behavior.
As digital systems grow more interconnected and reliant on automated processes, the risks tied to cyber manipulation, data tampering, and unauthorized interference continue to rise. This environment has prompted calls for a new standard of digital trust—one that ensures transparency, auditability, and security throughout the workflow. Veridat’s leadership has emphasized that this need is especially urgent in AI development, where model performance and data integrity must be auditable and explainable.
The ongoing collaboration between NAWCAD and Veridat aims to establish such a trust framework. Their efforts focus on ensuring that AI models operate as intended, data remains secure from manipulation, and decisions can be traced and justified. Without these protections, they warned, AI systems may be vulnerable to exploitation, thereby undermining public and institutional confidence in emerging digital technologies.
