Session 3.3c Tutorial: Exploring LoRa as a Low-bandwidth Resilient Communication Layer for DDIL Operations
Tracks
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| Thursday, November 19, 2026 |
| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
| Menzies Theatre |
Presentation Outline
Military operations increasingly depend on reliable digital communications to support command and control, situational awareness, and coordination. However, operations conducted in denied, degraded, intermittent, and limited (DDIL) environments may experience the loss or severe degradation of conventional communication systems. This creates a need for simple and resilient alternatives that can maintain essential information exchange.
This presentation explores the use of commercially available Long Range (LoRa) radio technology as a low-bandwidth messaging capability for transmitting essential operational information when primary communication systems are unavailable or constrained. Rather than proposing LoRa as a replacement for existing tactical communications, this work investigates its potential role as a complementary capability for exchanging structured messages including status reports, position updates, emergency notifications, and other mission-critical information. The presentation discusses the design considerations behind a prototype messaging platform, including peer-to-peer and deployable network architectures, message design, operational constraints, and the practical limitations imposed by bandwidth, latency, spectrum regulations, and device capability. Early observations from ongoing experimentation are presented alongside discussion of where LoRa may provide operational value and where its application is likely to be limited.
Attendees will gain an understanding of the opportunities and engineering trade-offs involved in employing low-cost commercial radio technology to improve communication resilience during degraded operations. The presentation also considers how these technologies may complement existing Defence communication systems without replacing established tactical communications.
Speaker
Mr Tenzin Shakya
Security Consultant
Mercury Information Security Service
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Biography
Tenzin Shakya is an Associate Security Consultant at Mercury Information Security Services, where he conducts penetration testing and security assessments across web applications, external, and internal environments. His work involves identifying and assessing security vulnerabilities, supporting organisations in improving the resilience of their systems.
Alongside his professional work, Tenzin undertakes independent research across a range of cybersecurity topics, with a particular interest in resilient communications, offensive security, and emerging technologies. His current research explores the application of low-cost long-range radio technologies, including LoRa, to support low-bandwidth communications in denied, degraded, intermittent, and limited (DDIL) environments through practical prototyping and experimentation. Tenzin is an active contributor to the Australian cybersecurity community, organising Sydney SecTalks and supporting cybersecurity education through mentoring and technical training.
Alongside his professional work, Tenzin undertakes independent research across a range of cybersecurity topics, with a particular interest in resilient communications, offensive security, and emerging technologies. His current research explores the application of low-cost long-range radio technologies, including LoRa, to support low-bandwidth communications in denied, degraded, intermittent, and limited (DDIL) environments through practical prototyping and experimentation. Tenzin is an active contributor to the Australian cybersecurity community, organising Sydney SecTalks and supporting cybersecurity education through mentoring and technical training.
