Multi-Level Security

Abstract

Multilevel security (MLS) has posed a challenge to the computer security community since the 1960s. MLS will allow information to flow freely between recipients in a computing system who have appropriate security clearances while preventing leaks to unauthorized recipients. MLS systems must incorporate two essential features: first, the system must enforce these restrictions regardless of the actions of system users or administrators, and second, MLS systems must enforce these restrictions with incredibly high reliability. This has led developers to implement specialized security mechanisms and to apply sophisticated techniques to review, analyze, and test those mechanisms for correct and reliable behavior. Despite this, MLS systems have rarely provided the degree of security desired by their most demanding customers in the military services, intelligence organizations, and T&E activities. Incorporating MLS into telemetry for T&E would allow all users of the data to have access to the same data stream and computer network according to their security clearance level and need-to-know. This would significantly increase efficiency and generate cost savings. MLS will also allow more streamlined testing with coalition partners.

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Document Details

Document Type
Project
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2011
Source ID
9_0603941D8Z_3_0400_PB_2011

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Cybersecurity.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Cyber

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