Ensuring Critical Network Integrity and Information Assurance: The Power of Cross Domain Solutions.

In today's complex and interconnected world, maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive data is paramount. This is especially true for governments, defense branches, and organizations that handle critical information. To address this challenge, Cross Domain Solutions (“CDS”) were developed to provide network integrity, assurance, and data confidentiality.

What are CDS?

CDS are designed to provide a high level of assurance for the separation of information domains and ensuring the secure access and transfer of data between these domains. CDS differs from other security appliances such as firewalls, web application firewalls (“WAFs”), and intrusion detection or prevention systems by offering additional security mechanisms that may include:

• Deep content inspection and validation to ensure that data meets the predefined security policy of what is allowed to pass;
• Data sanitation and modification;
• Content disarming and reconstruction of complex files;
• Virus scanning;
• Auditing and logging;
• And more

These capabilities are designed to help prevent both exploitation and data leakage. CDS systems are intended to prevent data from passing into or out of an organization’s restricted network based upon data protection policies.

Benefits of Cross Domain Solutions

The benefits of a CDS system is evident. By providing network integrity assurance and data confidentiality, CDS helps governments and organizations with high-assurance requirements to maintain stakeholder trust and confidence. Additionally, CDS technology enables organizations to:

• Connect information systems and networks that are not meant to be connected;
• Transfer sensitive data securely between different security levels; and
• Helps prevent data exploitation and leakage.

How a CDS differs from a Firewall

A firewall’s primary purpose is to block unauthorized access to a private or secured network. It is a general-purpose security device used by enterprises. Firewalls provide a base level of protection, since they also facilitate the transfer of a wide range of data and protocols.

A CDS system is similar to a firewall, but provides better protection to a private, isolated, or classified network. It allows specified commutations to operate at predefined protocols. In addition, it performs detailed inspection of the data being transferred to ensure that it meets the predefined security policy. This can be performed at the byte level. All other protocols and data that do not meet the standard set by the security policy are rejected. A CDS system operates in a “block all” policy with exceptions whereas a firewall operates in the opposite manner.

Regulatory Efforts to Enhance Cybersecurity

The importance of cyber security in critical infrastructures has been recognized by regulatory bodies. For example, the Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”) has established cyber requirements for oil and gas pipelines, as well as rail owners and operators, through a series of security directives issued after the 2021 colonial pipeline ransomware shut down (opens a new window). TSA's proposed rule aims to formalize cybersecurity requirements for pipelines and railways, setting minimum standards for critical infrastructure.

Cloud Service Providers and CDS

High-assurance security is also recognized by Cloud Service Providers (“CSPs”). CSPs offer advanced applications and tools within high highly secure cloud regions which are designed to service governments in high assurance organizations. These “air-gapped” cloud regions are engineered to provide assured security and continuity of operations.

Future Secure Computing Requires CDS in the Cloud

Through careful engineering and integration, CSPs can now offer customers high level assurance of CDS services and technology connecting organization's networks and data not originally meant to be connected. CDS in the Cloud enables organizations to:

• Connect information systems and networks that are not meant to be connected;
• Help ensure the secure transfer of sensitive data between different security levels; and
• Prevent exploitation and data leakage.

Business leaders and Security professionals all play a role in ensuring the integrity and continuity of critical information systems. As a member of the Defense Industrial Base or a business operating among highly regulated critical infrastructure markets, you have access to Cross Domain Solutions. Engage with your Cloud Service Provider and ask to learn more about their CDS offerings and insist on incorporating Cross Domain into your security posture.

If you are interested in learning more about how Everfox is partnering with CSPs to provide high-assurance Cross Domain Solutions in the cloud, click here to schedule a demo or talk to our experts.

Tony West 

Director, Cloud & Alliances

Tony West is the Director of the Cloud & Alliances team at Everfox. In this capacity, Tony is driving Everfox’s cloud strategy and working with our customers, partners, and industry experts on how to ensure our Cloud capabilities are delivering value across both domestic and international government organizations. Tony brings more than 20 years of experience working in the Federal IT, DIB, CIP and Regulated Markets sectors.

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