Classified United States website

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A variety of networks operating in special security domains handle classified information in the United States or sensitive but unclassified information, while other specialized networks are reserved specifically for unclassified use by the same agencies. Some sites accessed from these networks have been referred to as "classified websites" in official communications, such as the American embassy "Amman's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/pinea/amman/" [1] and "Mexico City's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity" [2] [ non-primary source needed ] Some of these trace back to the Defense Data Network which split from the Internet in 1983.

Contents

Networks

NIPRNet

NIPRNet is a low-security network reserved for unclassified information, such as regular Internet websites and firewalled but unclassified military websites. [3]

OpenNet

According to the U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual, "OpenNet is a physical and logical Internet Protocol (IP)-based global network that links the Department of State's Local Area Networks (LANs) domestically and abroad. The physical aspect of the network uses DTS circuits for posts abroad, FTS-2001-provided circuits, leased lines, and dial-up public switch networks. This includes interconnected hubs, routers, bridges, switches, and cables. The logical aspect of the network uses Integrated Enterprise Management System (NMS) and TCP/IP software, and other operational network applications. OpenNet is a Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) network, which supports e-mail and data applications." [4]

OpenNet+

OpenNet+ is described for State Department use as using standard .state.gov domain names, which must be requested through a State Department intranet site at http://intranet.state.gov/ds3081 [ permanent dead link ] . Web site development cannot be done on machines directly connected to this network. The "www" prefix is not to be used on OpenNet+, as it is reserved for use on the Internet. [5]

DNI-U (OSIS)

OSIS was the name of an "unclassified network serving the intelligence community with open-source intelligence". Originally used to refer both to the network and to the content it provided, it has since been decoupled, with the content named "Intelink-U", while the network continues as DNI-U. The network is maintained by the DNI-CIO Intelligence Community Enterprise Services office (ICES). [6] [7] [8]

ClassNet

ClassNet domain names for the State Department take the form ".state.sgov.gov". Web pages for ClassNet may be developed on a "classified workstation". "Any workstation used for development purposes may not serve as the operational repository of images, files, or other information associated with a Web site." [5] ClassNet is used for telecommunications, and its use is promoted by the Business Center Division. [4] Two versions of the State Messaging and Archival Retrieval Toolset (SMART) database were created, one with a maximum rating of Sensitive but Unclassified (SBU) for OpenNet+, and one with a top rating of Secret for ClassNet. [9]

Behind the Green Door secure communications center with SIPRNET, GWAN, NSANET, and JWICS access Intel GreenDoor.jpg
Behind the Green Door secure communications center with SIPRNET, GWAN, NSANET, and JWICS access

SIPRNet (DSNET1)

SIPRNet is a medium-security network for handling information that is classified as Secret or below. It may be used to access classified websites run by the Defense Intelligence Agency. [3] SIPRNet replaced the Defense Data Network DSNET1 component. [10]

NSANet

NSANet handles information rated Top Secret or Sensitive Compartmented Information. [3]

JWICS

The Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS) is a secure TCP/IP network providing services such as hypertext and e-mail rated up to Top Secret and SCI. JWICS replaced the Defense Data Network DSNET2 (Top Secret) and DSNET3 (SCI) networks. [3] [11] [12]

Note

SI = Special / Secret Intelligence TK is a codeword classification, standing for Talent Keyhole, meaning IMINT. TS/SI/TK is often used as a blanket "entry level clearance" for conferences, etc., as it is one of the most carefully controlled and restricted. B = BYEMAN (National Reconnaissance Office)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Defense Information Systems Agency</span> US Department of Defense combat support agency

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), known as the Defense Communications Agency (DCA) until 1991, is a United States Department of Defense (DoD) combat support agency composed of military, federal civilians, and contractors. DISA provides information technology (IT) and communications support to the President, Vice President, Secretary of Defense, the military services, the combatant commands, and any individual or system contributing to the defense of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Classified information</span> Material that government claims requires confidentiality

Classified information is material that a government body deems to be sensitive information that must be protected. Access is restricted by law or regulation to particular groups of people with the necessary security clearance and need to know. Mishandling of the material can incur criminal penalties.

Open-source intelligence (OSINT) is the collection and analysis of data gathered from open sources to produce actionable intelligence. OSINT is primarily used in national security, law enforcement, and business intelligence functions and is of value to analysts who use non-sensitive intelligence in answering classified, unclassified, or proprietary intelligence requirements across the previous intelligence disciplines.

The Defense Switched Network (DSN) is a primary information transfer network for the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) of the United States Department of Defense. The DSN provides the worldwide non-secure voice, secure voice, data, facsimile, and video teleconferencing services for DOD Command and Control (C2) elements, their supporting activities engaged in logistics, personnel, engineering, and intelligence, as well as other Federal agencies.

The National Security Agency took over responsibility for all U.S. Government encryption systems when it was formed in 1952. The technical details of most NSA-approved systems are still classified, but much more about its early systems have become known and its most modern systems share at least some features with commercial products.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SIPRNet</span> Computer network used by the United States Government

The Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet) is "a system of interconnected computer networks used by the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of State to transmit classified information by packet switching over the 'completely secure' environment". It also provides services such as hypertext document access and electronic mail. As such, SIPRNet is the DoD's classified version of the civilian Internet.

The Non-classified Internet Protocol (IP) Router Network (NIPRNet) is an IP network used to exchange unclassified information, including information subject to controls on distribution, among the private network's users. The NIPRNet also provides its users access to the Internet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intelink</span>

Intelink is a group of secure intranets used by the United States Intelligence Community. The first Intelink network was established in 1994 to take advantage of Internet technologies and services to promote intelligence dissemination and business workflow. Since then it has become an essential capability for the US intelligence community and its partners to share information, collaborate across agencies, and conduct business. Intelink refers to the web environment on protected top secret, secret, and unclassified networks. One of the key features of Intelink is Intellipedia, an online system for collaborative data sharing based on MediaWiki. Intelink uses WordPress as the basis of its blogging service.

The Defense Information System Network (DISN) has been the United States Department of Defense's enterprise telecommunications network for providing data, video, and voice services for 40 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sensitive but unclassified</span> American federal information sensitivity designation

Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) is a designation of information in the United States federal government that, though unclassified, often requires strict controls over its distribution. SBU is a broad category of information that includes material covered by such designations as For Official Use Only (FOUO), Law Enforcement Sensitive (LES), Sensitive Homeland Security Information, Sensitive Security Information (SSI), Critical Infrastructure Information (CII), etc. It also includes Internal Revenue Service materials like individual tax records, systems information, and enforcement procedures. Some categories of SBU information have authority in statute or regulation while others, including FOUO, do not.

The Open Source Information System (OSIS) is the former name of an American unclassified network serving the U.S. intelligence community with open source intelligence.

The United States government classification system is established under Executive Order 13526, the latest in a long series of executive orders on the topic beginning in 1951. Issued by President Barack Obama in 2009, Executive Order 13526 replaced earlier executive orders on the topic and modified the regulations codified to 32 C.F.R. 2001. It lays out the system of classification, declassification, and handling of national security information generated by the U.S. government and its employees and contractors, as well as information received from other governments.

The Defense Data Network (DDN) was a computer networking effort of the United States Department of Defense from 1983 through 1995. It was based on ARPANET technology.

Special access programs (SAPs) in the U.S. Federal Government are security protocols that provide highly classified information with safeguards and access restrictions that exceed those for regular (collateral) classified information. SAPs can range from black projects to routine but especially-sensitive operations, such as COMSEC maintenance or presidential transportation support. In addition to collateral controls, a SAP may impose more stringent investigative or adjudicative requirements, specialized nondisclosure agreements, special terminology or markings, exclusion from standard contract investigations (carve-outs), and centralized billet systems. Within the Department of Defense, SAP is better known as "SAR" by the mandatory Special Access Required (SAR) markings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intellipedia</span> US Intelligence Community encyclopedia

Intellipedia is an online system for collaborative data sharing used by the United States Intelligence Community (IC). It was established as a pilot project in late 2005 and formally announced in April 2006. Intellipedia consists of three wikis running on the separate JWICS (Intellipedia-TS), SIPRNet (Intellipedia-S), and DNI-U (Intellipedia-U) networks. The levels of classification allowed for information on the three wikis are Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information, Secret (S), and Sensitive But Unclassified information, respectively. Each of the wikis is used by individuals with appropriate clearances from the 18 agencies of the US intelligence community and other national-security related organizations, including Combatant Commands and other federal departments. The wikis are not open to the public.

The Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communication System is the United States Department of Defense's secure intranet system that houses top secret and sensitive compartmented information. JWICS superseded the earlier DSNET2 and DSNET3, the Top Secret and SCI levels of the Defense Data Network based on ARPANET technology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Defense Technical Information Center</span> US Department of Defense repository for research and engineering information

The Defense Technical Information Center is the repository for research and engineering information for the United States Department of Defense (DoD). DTIC's services are available to DoD personnel, federal government personnel, federal contractors and selected academic institutions. The general public can access unclassified information through its public website.

The United States Intelligence Community A-Space, or Analytic Space, is a project started in 2007 from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence's (ODNI) Office of Analytic Transformation and Technology to develop a common collaborative workspace for all analysts from the USIC. It is accessible from common workstations and provides unprecedented access to interagency databases, a capability to search classified and unclassified sources simultaneously, web-based messaging, and collaboration tools. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is the executive agent for building the first phase of A-Space. Initial operational capability was scheduled for December 2007. A-Space went live on the government's classified Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System 22 September 2008. A-Space is built on Jive Software's Clearspace application.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Controlled Unclassified Information</span> US government information category

Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is a category of unclassified information within the U.S. Federal government. The CUI program was created by President Obama’s Executive Order 13556 to create a streamlined method for information sharing and safeguarding. The Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) acts as the Executive Agent (EA) of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), and is responsible for oversight of the CUI program. The ISOO monitors the implementation of the CUI program by executive branch agencies. CUI will replace agency specific labels such as For Official Use Only (FOUO), Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU), and Law Enforcement Sensitive (LES) on new data and some data with legacy labels will also qualify as Controlled Unclassified Information. Federal contractors who handle CUI will be required to self-assess with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) under the Cyber AB.

The RIPRNet is a TCP/IP based computer network for joint South Korea-US access, analogous to the SIPRNet.

References

  1. ↑ "Allegations that GOJ Tortures, and Runs Secret Prisons with U.S." (PDF). U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 15, 2009.
  2. ↑ "Viewing cable 09MEXICO3573, MEXICAN NAVY OPERATION NETS DRUG KINGPIN ARTURO". Wikileaks. December 2, 2010. Archived from the original on December 6, 2010. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Sharon Weinberger (December 1, 2010). "What Is SIPRNet?". Archived from the original on December 5, 2010. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  4. 1 2 "1 FAM 270 BUREAU OF INFORMATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (IRM)". U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  5. 1 2 "U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Handbook Volume 5 Handbook 8". U.S. Department of State. May 29, 2005.
  6. ↑ "Open Source Information System (OSIS)". Federation of American Scientists.
  7. ↑ Noel Brinkerhoff (June 4, 2009). "8 Extremely Little-Known Corners of the U.S. Intelligence Network…and 4 More". Allgov.
  8. ↑ "National Intelligence: A Consumer's Guide" (PDF). U.S. Director of National Intelligence (free download). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Advisory Committee on Historical Diplomatic Documentation minutes". Federation of American Scientists. September 16, 2003.
  10. ↑ "Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNET)". Federation of American Scientists.
  11. ↑ "Sigint - Jwics". Archived from the original on February 20, 2011. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  12. ↑ Aftergood, Steven; Korda, Matt; Kristensen, Hans M. (July 16, 1945). "Striving For A Safer World Since 1945". Federation Of American Scientists. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
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