Points of Contact

 

Defense-wide Information Assurance Program:

DIAP Staff – (703) 602-6995

NSA – Linda Kriner, Teri Wagner (410) 854-6146

Computer Network Defense: 

ASD(C3I)(IA) – Gus Guissanie (703) 614-6132

Public Key Infrastructure and Public Key Enabling of Applications:

DIAP Staff  – (703) 602-6995

 

 

Definitions & Terms

 

Active Network Defense – Development and sustainment of the training, tactics, techniques, tools, technologies and procedures to safeguard, defend and sustain information systems and networks.  Some Active Network Defense measures may overlap what has been generally defined as Computer Network Attack and Computer Network Exploitation.

 

Attack Sensing and Warning – The detection, correlation, identification and characterization of cyber attacks across a large spectrum coupled with the notification to command and decision makers so that an appropriate response can be developed.  Attack sensing and warning also includes attack/intrusion related intelligence collection tasking and dissemination; limited immediate response recommendations; and limited potential impact assessments.

 

Computer Security (COMSEC) Monitoring - Operational force protection, monitoring, and general support necessary to improve information systems security posture through cooperative examination of U.S. Government telecommunications to identify and help counter vulnerabilities which can be exploited by adversary signals intelligence efforts.

 

Computer Network Defense (CND) – Those Defense-wide actions taken pursuant to legal authority to protect, monitor, analyze, detect and respond to unauthorized activity within DoD information systems and computer networks. CND protection activity is a subset of information assurance protection activity and includes deliberate actions taken to modify an assurance configuration or condition in response to a CND alert or threat information.  Monitoring, analysis, and detection activities, including trend and pattern analysis, are performed by multiple disciplines within DoD, e.g., network operations, intelligence, counterintelligence, and law enforcement.

 

CND Sensor Grid – A coordinated constellation of decentrally owned and implemented intrusion and anomaly detection systems deployed throughout DoD information systems and computer networks.  Investments to procure, sustain, and refresh these systems should be reported.  Investments to design, develop  and deploy supporting systems such as the Joint CERT database should also be reported.  DISA should report investments to support its responsibilities as technical integrator.

 

CND Common Operational Picture – A distributed capability that provides local, intermediate, and DoD-wide visual situational awareness of CND activities and operations and their impact; collaboration; and decision support.  Investments to determine requirements and to design, and develop supporting systems and databases should be reported.

 

Defense in Depth – The security approach whereby layers of IA solutions are used to establish an adequate IA posture through the integration of the IA capabilities of people, operations, and technology to achieve strong, effective, multi-layer, multi-dimensional protection.  Implementation of this recognizes that, due to the highly interactive nature of the various systems and networks, IA solutions must be considered within the context of the shared risk environment and that any single system cannot be adequately secured unless all interconnected systems are adequately secured.

 

Defense in Depth Categories for the PPIs:

 

·        Defend the Networks and Infrastructure – The technologies, hardware/software, operations, manpower, and services that address the availability, confidentiality, and management requirements of large transport networks and various other transmission and switching capabilities. Requirements addressed in this category include availability of backbone networks, wireless security capabilities, intrusion detection systems, System High Interconnections and Virtual Private Networks (VPN). Included are secure voice capabilities, multiple security layers, and operations that support Defense-wide networks and infrastructure.

 

·        Defend the Enclave Boundary/External Connections – The technologies, hardware/software, operations, manpower, and services that addresses perimeter defenses. This category includes: protection for network access (firewalls, vulnerability scanners, and virus detectors); protection for remote access from both remote enclaves and traveling laptops; and protection during interoperation across security levels (high-to-low and low-to-high transfers). An enclave boundary is defined in the Global-Information-Grid (GiG) Implementation Guidance as the points of connection for local Area Networks (LAN) or similar network to the service layer of another network. 

 

·        Defend the Computing Environment – The technologies, hardware/software, operations, manpower, and services that address the security considerations for end user workstations, servers, applications, and operating systems. This category includes user applications such as secure messaging, secure web browsing, file protection, Public Key enabling of applications, and mission specific applications.

 

·        Supporting Infrastructures – The security capabilities, hardware/software, operations, manpower, components, and services that address the supporting infrastructures of defense in depth. Specifically these include the Joint CERT Incident Handling database, and the R&D and procurement of Key Management Infrastructure (KMI) and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technologies that are used to manage public key certificates and symmetric cryptography.

 

·        System Security Methodology – The technologies, hardware/software, operations, manpower, and services that address the consideration of mission needs, relevant policies and regulations and a projection of threats to systems and information that contribute to the definition, design, development, deployment sustainment, certification and accreditation of the Department’s IA posture. Included in this category is information systems security engineering, readiness assessment, threat and vulnerability assessment, risk management, and comprehensive evaluation of technical and non-technical security features of an IT system made in support of accreditation processes.

 

·        Security Management – The operational resources to sustain security capabilities, components, and services used by systems and networks.  Examples in this category are resources and efforts to operate and sustain Public Key Infrastructures, secure DISN, provide IA support to the CINCs, operate the IAVA process, and conduct electronic key management and distributions.

 

·        Defensive Information Operations – The technologies, hardware/software, operations, manpower, and services directly employed to ensure timely, accurate, and relevant  information access while denying adversaries the opportunity  to exploit friendly information and systems for their own purposes. Examples are those CND activities primarily associated directly or indirectly with component CERTS, information warfare centers, red team operations, and related law enforcement and intelligence efforts.

 

·        Training – The training, education, awareness and professional programs for network and system managers, developers, and users of information systems and networks.

 

·        Other Management and Operations – The information services, facilities support, contracts and fees, and other mission resources necessary to support the other categories but not directly associated with them.

 

·        IA for the Tactical Environment – The security technologies, hardware/software, operations, manpower, and services that address specific security concerns of the tactical environment, such as the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS).  Included in this is a set of systems, products, and infrastructure that transfers time and content sensitive communications between wireless nodes or from wired to radio transmission environments.  Characteristics include:

-        Military style operations

-        User owned equipment and infrastructure

-        Radio-communications licensed frequency bands

-        Communications in hostile physical/RF environment

-        Classified or sensitive but unclassified (SBU)

-        Time sensitive

These systems typically avoid or minimize:

-        Geo-location

-        Detection and interception

-        Jamming

-        Traffic analysis

-        Theft of information

 

Information Assurance (IA)     – Information operations that protect and defend information and information systems by ensuring their availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and non-repudiation. This includes providing for restoration of information systems by incorporating protection, detection, and reaction capabilities. (DoDD S-3600.1, JP 3-13 Information Operations, NSTISSI 4009)

 

Information Assurance Vulnerability Alert (IAVA) – The comprehensive distribution process for notifying CINC’s, services, and agencies (C/S/A) about vulnerability alerts and countermeasure information.  The IAVA process requires C/S/A receipt acknowledgement and provides specific time parameters for implementing appropriate countermeasures depending on the criticality of the vulnerability (JTF CND CONOP)

 

Information Operations Condition (INFOCON) – A comprehensive defense posture and response based on the status of information systems, military operations, and intelligence assessments of adversary capabilities and intent.  The INFOCON system presents a structured, coordinated approach to defend against a computer network attack and measures the focus on computer network-based protective measures.  Each level reflects a defensive posture based on the risk of impact to military operations through the intentional disruption of friendly information systems (CJCS Memo CM-510-00 dated 10 March 1999).

 

Information Security (INFOSEC) – Information security is the protection of information and information systems against unauthorized access or modification of information, whether in storage, processing, or transit, and against denial of service to authorized users. Information security includes those measures necessary to detect, document, and counter such threats. Information security is composed of computer security and communications security. (NSTISSI 4009)

 

Information Systems Security Program (ISSP) (PE 030314 A,F,G,K,L,N) – Those Defense-wide efforts that include resources, manpower authorizations, necessary facilities and equipment required to perform INFOSEC research and development, to provide INFOSEC services, to procure INFOSEC products required to secure telecommunications and information systems when such products are separately procurable from host systems, and to provide INFOSEC maintenance and support.  Also included are costs associated with the protection afforded to telecommunications and information systems which process sensitive data and efforts to ensure authenticity, integrity, and availability of the information and system.

 

Network Operations - An organizational and procedural framework intended to provide information systems and computer network owners the means to manage their information systems and computer networks in order to effectively execute their mission priorities.

 

Public Key Enabling of Applications (PK-enabling) – The enabling of information system applications to utilize the services of a pubic key infrastructure. This includes activities and resources associated with the cost of manpower, hardware, software, encryption services, and support efforts needed to make applications capable of employing digital certificates and signatures.

 

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) – An enterprise-wide service that supports digital certificates and signatures and other public key-based security mechanisms for DoD functional domain programs, including generation, production, distribution, control and accounting of public key certificates.  This includes PKI resources associated with the cost of manpower, hardware, software, encryption services, and operational and support efforts needed to implement and sustain the infrastructure for a Defense-wide PKI.

 

Response Mechanisms – Resources and processes to support INFOCON and similar Component mechanisms.  The IAVA process is not included in this definition.