Cross Domain Solutions (CDS) and Multi-Level Security (MLS) technologies are complex and enforce rigorous security controls to ensure segregation of data and networks, and controlled access by users. Often used to bridge security classification levels or enclaves where the flow of information must be restricted and access must be carefully monitored, these solutions undergo extensive review by the NSA where few meet the requirements to be certified for operational usage. Within the low SWaP environments such as air platforms or unmanned vehicles, the requirements are even more stringent as the physical features of the solution are critically important. The solution proposed to address this essential problem offers a realistic approach and well position team of CDS and hardware/firmware experts to develop a solution based on a combination of approaches and components that have demonstrated past successes. Success is a balance of innovation, depth of skill in required expertise and risk management. In combination, our understanding of the domains, the rigors of the certification processes (both CDS and crypto) and the constraints posed by the utilization within the airframe platform result in a proposed approach that is innovative yet feasible and achievable in addressing the problem set.
