In the complex landscape of national cybersecurity, evolving threats are increasingly matched by the growing demands of data-driven missions, making the role of Cross Domain Solutions (CDS) more vital than ever. For CISOs, CTOs, and federal cybersecurity leaders, CDS is not only a security feature; it is a critical mission enabler.
The heightened demand for timely, secure access to data across classification levels and network boundaries is a reality for federal agencies, particularly those in defense, intelligence, and homeland security. The traditional model — isolated, air-gapped networks — is now insufficient in an era where multi-domain operations, cloud transformation, and real-time collaboration are operational imperatives.
Identifying and defining Cross Domain Solutions, common misconceptions and implementation challenges, are key considerations for every agency when evaluating and deploying the right solution to help ensure a secure mission.
Understanding Cross Domain Solutions
A Cross Domain Solution (CDS) facilitates secure data sharing and access across networks that operate at different classification or security levels. These networks may be physical or virtual, isolated by design to prevent unauthorized data leakage or cyber intrusion. A secure CDS makes it possible to access, transfer, or transform data between these environments without compromising confidentiality, integrity, or availability.
A helpful analogy to understand the importance of a secure CDS is airport security sophistication. Firewalls function like check-in desks as they verify identification and allow authorized individuals through. Diodes act like one-way exits in an airport; they are set up to allow one-way flow of traffic throughout the airport and not let traffic come back in the other direction. Cross Domain Solutions act like a TSA checkpoint: Inspecting every item, scanning for threats, and enforcing rules about what may or may not pass through. Just as airport security prevents contraband from boarding a plane, Cross Domain Solutions are designed to ensure no malicious data or unauthorized information crosses boundaries between classified and unclassified environments. All of these components work in concert to protect against persistent threats, insider misuse, and accidental data spillage.
Why CDS Matters Now More Than Ever
As cyber threats advance, several trends are converging to heighten the need for Cross Domain Solutions:
- Remote Access to Sensitive Information at multiple classification levels: Field agents, personnel on temporary duty assignment or employees with approved teleworking agreements often require secure remote connections. Additionally, it is ideal to have a plan for secure connections if unforeseen circumstances (such as emergencies or health-related issues) arise.
- Cloud Adoption and Modern IT Architectures: Agencies are increasingly using cloud services, which introduce complexities in managing data flows between cloud-based environments and on-premises classified networks.
- Multi-Domain Operations: Collaboration between intelligence, operations, and logistics requires real-time data sharing across domains and classification levels with other partners and agencies.
- Increasing Threat Landscape: The sophistication of cyber threats- ransomware, zero-days, and nation-state actors- necessitates deeper inspection and greater assurance than what traditional perimeter defenses can offer.
- AI Model and Integration: As AI becomes more important to modern applications — and ultimately to decision dominance — solutions should support secure, high-speed access to AI models operating at lower classification levels and enable the rapid transfer of data to highly classified AI environments.
- Policy and Compliance Mandates: Initiatives like NCDSMO’s Raise-the-Bar (RTB) standards are increasing requirements on what qualifies as acceptable CDS, requiring modern and accredited solutions.
These drivers combined make CDS even more essential—not only to safeguard data but to enable agile, responsive mission execution.
Evaluating a CDS: What to Look For
As agencies evaluate a Cross Domain Solution, they should be aware that not all solutions were created equal. Here are some key areas that should be considered for evaluation:
- Transfer or Access Support: Many times, CDS solutions that allow access without transferring data may meet mission requirements. However, consider whether a transfer CDS is necessary and if there are requirements for bi-directional or one-way data transfer.
- Latency and Data Type Handling: Assess how the solution handles different data types required and if the solution meets latency requirements.
- Scalability: Ensure solutions can grow with your organization and support future requirements.
- Compliance and Accreditation Readiness: Most solutions for government require NCDSMO RTB compliance and not all CDS solutions can meet this.
- Security Features: Real-time filtering, inspection, validation, and diode capabilities are important and can vary with CDS providers.
- Tactical Edge Requirements: Solutions deployed to the tactical edge must deliver robust capabilities while meeting specialized requirements for size, weight, power and cooling to meet mission requirements. There are also specialized requirements for environments like space or air that require different solutions than something that will be deployed in a backpack or in the desert.
- Other considerations: Centralized management capabilities, training and support models, and cost and ROI are also important considerations as you consider a CDS solution for your environment.
The Future of Cross Domain Solutions
Modern missions require real-time, multi-domain collaboration. To meet these evolving demands, future Cross Domain Solutions (CDS) should integrate artificial intelligence and automation to enhance filtering processes and boost threat detection capabilities. Embracing Zero Trust Architectures is essential, helping to ensure that every transaction undergoes rigorous verification to maintain system integrity. Furthermore, enabling mobile and edge access to classified systems is crucial, particularly for operations in remote and contested environments where timely information is vital. Adopting cloud-native designs will support containerized, scalable deployments, allowing flexibility and responsiveness in dynamic operational contexts.
Enabling the Mission with Confidence
Cross Domain Solutions are not just a checkbox in a compliance framework. They are mission-critical infrastructure. The right CDS allows your agency to operate with agility and confidence, share intelligence, coordinate operations and respond to threats in real-time.
For CISOs and security leaders, this is an opportunity to lead from the front. By championing smart, scalable, and accredited CDS deployments, you can empower your teams, reduce cyber risk, and help your agency deliver on its most critical objectives securely.
About the Author
Jill Bradshaw is Senior Product Marketing Manager at Everfox, bringing over 20 years of experience in the technology sector, with a focus on networking, zero trust architecture, cross domain solutions, tactical systems, and AI technologies. She collaborates closely with government, industry, and executive stakeholders to ensure that technology solutions align with evolving federal and critical industry requirements. Jill earned her MBA from Baylor University and Bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University. Beyond her professional role, she serves on the board of the Rocky Mountain Deaf School and as a Commissioner on the Colorado Commission for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind. In her personal time, Jill enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with her family.
Email: [email protected]
Website https://www.everfox.com/
