29 Apr 13. Our nation’s cyber networks are under constant attack by terrorists, spies and hacktivists. Many are targeting data, or access to networks where data is stored and secured.

“The vast amounts of information American’s collect, analyze and move is truly astounding,” said BAE Systems Director of Cross Domain Solutions, John Murphy. “Some websites and networks receive more than a trillion digital interactions per month, alone. Of course, much of this data is sensitive, and therefore highly sought after.”

In addition to personal, corporate or government data theft, there are concerns that hackers could gain control of systems used to operate and secure our nation’s critical infrastructure. In 2012 alone, the nation’s Industrial Control Systems-Cyber Emergency Response Team responded to approximately 200 cyber incidents reported by energy companies, public water districts and other infrastructure facilities.

One of the most effective ways to combat these attacks are by using
unidirectional networks, which mitigate risk by regulating the flow of data. Unidirectional networks, like ones in place using BAE Systems data diode solutions, will only allow information to pass from one side (referred to in the industry as the low side) of a network connection to another (referred to as the high side), and not the other way around. Data diodes allow data on a high side network to be protected, while still allowing the low side of the network to be directly connected to the internet.

“Data diodes ensure that network security and critical operations systems are logically and physically separated from possible cyber attacks targeting their networks,” said Murphy.

BAE Systems has designed, developed, and manufactured Cross Domain capabilities for the most sensitive areas of the Defense/Intelligence and Federal Government market for over 30 years. Though many of the company’s users have traditionally been in the government space, growing demands for secure networking solutions has led to a thriving new market in other business areas where security is imperative.

“We’ve got more than 1,800 secure and scalable cross domain solutions deployed across some of the world’s most secure networks, each with their own unique mission requirements,” said Murphy.

(Source: ASD Network/BAE Systems PLC)