How data classification improves secure data sharing in cross-domain solutions

Although many visitors to our website will already understand cross-domain solutions, bear with us as we do a quick recap. In brief, cross-domain solutions (CDS) are integrated software and hardware systems that enable the secure exchange of sensitive data across networks, including incompatible security domains. Information exchanges may occur bi-directionally or one way. 

Example use cases for a CDS include mapping publicly available data from an OFFICIAL network into a SECRET classified analysis system or bringing together inputs from multiple differently classified environments into a central audit system. 

Why use a cross-domain solution?

As a process that supports the transfer or exchange of information between different security domains or levels, organizations may use a cross-domain solution because of a handful of factors:

  1. Security. Virtually every organization faces the challenge of managing sensitive and classified information traveling to and from different network domains with varying levels of security to enable collaboration. This challenge is cross-industry, spanning highly sensitive defense and military operations to the private sector. Standard security measures such as firewalls are insufficient for organizations in high-risk environments. 
  2. Improved collaboration. Organizations must collaborate with partners, suppliers, and customers in today's interconnected world to achieve outcomes and stay competitive. A cross-domain solution enables secure collaboration and information sharing across different security domains fueling faster decision-making, improved response times, and increased team productivity.
  3. Cost savings. By using a cross-domain solution, organizations can avoid the need for separate networks and systems for different security domains, which can create cost savings on infrastructure, maintenance, and support.
  4. Regulatory compliance. Certain operational environments may mandate regulatory compliance requirements are met when transferring or exchanging information between different security domains. 

How data classification improves secure data sharing in cross-domain solutions.

Data classification is the process of identifying and marking an organization's sensitive information based on various factors, like sensitivity, confidentiality, and criticality. When an organization can efficiently and effectively identify sensitive information across its network, tools, and applications, data classification solutions enable marking of that information to ensure appropriate handling by people and systems. 

Applying user- or policy-driven data classifications to sensitive information improves the secure sharing of data across cross-domain solutions in several ways:

  1. Access control: By marking data based on its sensitivity, organizations can introduce controls to ensure that only authorized people and systems access information and that users and systems handle classified information appropriately. Data classification helps prevent unauthorized access and data leakage when sharing data between different security domains.
  2. Data sharing: Data classification helps identify and mark data that users may need to share between different security domains based on the file's sensitivity and confidentiality level. Appropriately marking data with visible and metadata classifications helps ensure employees and contractors don't inadvertently share sensitive data with unauthorized parties.
  3. Risk management: Classifying data helps organizations identify potential risks of exposure associated with the data and implement controls to mitigate such risks when users must share information across different security domains to collaborate effectively.
  4. Compliance: Data classification helps organizations meet regulatory and legislative requirements for data protection and handling. Managing compliance is critical when sharing data across security domains, as different domains also have different regulatory requirements.
  5. Zero trust. User-driven and automated policy-driven data classification markings support the ‘least privilege’ stance to data, applications, and networks and uphold zero trust frameworks.

The Janusnet difference to improve data sharing in cross-domain solutions.

For nearly two decades, defense, intelligence, government agencies, and commercial organizations have trusted Janusnet data classification solutions to reduce the risk of data loss and mishandling, meet compliance requirements, and improve information control.

We help organizations apply and manage visible and metadata classification markings to enable appropriate data handling by users and systems in cross-domain environments.

The Janusnet data classification differences include:

  • A familiar user-interface to simplify and accelerate deployment and adoption.
  • Cost-effective data classification requiring minimal maintenance and leveraging existing infrastructures, such as Attribute Based Access Control (ABAC), DLP, encryption, and CASB systems.
  • Configuration without a network connection post-deployment, the reliability to run on a “set and forget” basis, and built-in audit capabilities.
  • Flexibility to change control systems and remediate incorrectly marked information without complex, time-consuming, expensive software, or additional hardware.
  • No need for extra, or dedicated, hardware or software.