Multilevel Security Networks: An Explanation of the Problem

The ability to process electronic information of multiple security classifications has long been a goal of warfighters. The process of Fusing National information at levels above Top Secret (TS) with the tactical picture being generated onboard the ship has been greatly improved in recent years, but remains primarily a manual one with the onboard Ship Sensitive Equipment Space (SSES) and off-board National Source detachments providing contact and identification information to the Combat Information Center (CIC). This paper addresses the current efforts within the Department of Defense (DoD) to develop a Multi-Level Security (MLS) system. While this paper deals with the Department of Defense requirements, the same methodology and practice can be applied to other networks with similar requirements.