Defence: Leonardo teams up with Defence Tech to protect classified data
The technology developed by Infodas, a German cyber security company owned by Airbus, will be adapted to meet Italian requirements for exchanging data between systems with different security classifications. The aim is to achieve ITA SECRET accreditation.
Key points
Exchanging information in real time between systems with different classification levels, whilst complying with the Italian Defence’s security requirements. This is the aim of the collaboration between Defence Tech – through its subsidiary Donexit – Infodas and Leonardo. At the heart of the initiative is an Italian version of the SDoT Security Gateway Express, Infodas’s bidirectional gateway. The aim is to achieve ‘Ita secret’ accreditation: work to enable assessment by the Italian authorities has already begun.
Classified data: how will the gateway work?
The project addresses the growing complexity of information security requirements within the Italian Defence programmes. The technology selected is a cross-domain solution: it enables the transfer of information between domains, that is, distinct IT environments. In the configuration intended for Italia, the transfer will be possible in both directions: both between domains with different classification levels and between unclassified and classified environments. Data exchange will take place in real time and must meet the requirements specified by Leonardo.
The customisation relates to the Italian Defence Force’s operational and security standards. Leonardo has set out the requirements for integrating this technology into various defence systems. According to the companies, Infodas’ cross-domain solutions are already being used in NATO and European Union military programmes and exercises: the experience gained from these activities forms the basis for the decision to develop a version specifically for Italia.
ITA SECRET accreditation: the Italian assessment
Defence Tech and Infodas have commenced work to enable the Italian authorities to evaluate the SDoT Security Gateway Express. The work is proceeding in accordance with the requirements set out by Leonardo for the integration of the solution into defence systems. Ita Secret accreditation is the ultimate goal of the process announced by the companies.
As part of the initiative, Defence Tech acts as custodian of the Italian version of the gateway. The company, which has been Infodas’s distributor in Italia for over a year, is providing its expertise to support the security assessment carried out by the national authorities.
