MLS for Tactical Soldier, Sensor and Munitions Networks

Networked communication for the future force will require a seamless architecture ensuring information exchange capabilities between all nodes, including those of dissimilar classification levels. This type of network architecture will require Multi-Level Security (MLS) in order to facilitate this information exchange at the lowest possible level to eliminate network choke points and single points of failure. MLS has been, and continues to be an intricate and complex issue that has yet to realize a fully effective solution that is both technically and tactically feasible. As a result of the complex technical challenges in meeting a true MLS network from the unattended node up, there have been attempts to change policy or lower the classification level of the backbone network. Some of these attempts have been successful, but only where it was deemed that the sensitivity of the information on a network warranted the change. Policy should never be changed such that it will weaken the integrity of the information required by the warfighter, therefore a technical solution must be found. We believe that by leveraging the technology (and the security certifications) used in the Selective Availability Anti Spoofing Module (SAASM), the security module for the military Global Position System (GPS) receivers, a technical solution can be found that is both affordable and tactically feasible.