Cross Domain Solutions

A cross domain solution is a system which is designed to allow two network domains (a single domain being servers with a common login) to securely exchange data. A CDS will include a content filter to prevent data from being moved which another domain does not have authorization to use.

Domains with different levels of access to secure information need a means to both manually and automatically transfer data. A CDS will offer:

1. Access solutions - the ability to view information from domains with differing security levels.

2. Transfer solutions - the ability to move information between domains with differing security levels.

3. Multi-level solutions - the storage of all data in a single domain.

The SANS Institute has prepared a diagram that shows how cross domain solutions work:

See the SANS Institute guide, Shedding Light on Cross Domain Solutions, posted here.