Media Release

DEFENCE ACCEPTS FIRST MULTI-LEVEL
INFORMATION SECURITY PRODUCT

Australian industry has delivered the first copy of a Data Diode Device designed to ensure secure communications to the Department of Defence.

The device - believed to have considerable commercial potential - is the result of innovative research by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and development for production by Vision Abell Pty Ltd.

It has the approval of the Defence Signals Directorate, responsible for setting security standards for government and industry in Australia.

And it could deliver royalties to the Department.

The first Data Diode Device, described as part of a Multi-Level Information Security (MLIS) system, was presented by Vision Abell to Defence in a brief ceremony during the Security in Government conference currently being held in Canberra.

The device is a high assurance hardware item that allows information to be transferred between computer networks of different security classifications, but only in one direction. It will provide the Australian Defence Force with the ability to transfer data from a lower classified network to a higher classified network without compromising the confidentiality of the information on the higher classified network.

The first Data Diode Device was presented by Vision Abell Director, Mr Geoff Thomas, to DAO's Head Systems Acquisition (Electronic Systems Division), Ms Shireane McKinnie, which takes in Joint Project 2049, Phase 1 responsible for the development of the new security products.

On behalf of the company, he accepted an E6 certificate recognising the Data Diode Device from the Defence Signals Directorate's Assistant Secretary Information Security, Ms Lynwen Connick, as meeting the requirements of the Information Technology Security Evaluation Criteria (ITSEC).

"Vision Abell is extremely proud to be a leader in developing Australia's first E6 certified security product evaluated under the Australian Information Security Evaluation Program," he said. "Close cooperation of our company with Defence agencies involved in contracting, evaluation and certification was essential to production of this world-class, fully-certified product."

Ms McKinnie said the Data Diode is the first of several products for secure transfer of information between computer networks and described the presentation as 'a significant milestone in the further development of an Australian information security industry'.

"The Data Diode is the result of a collaborative development between the Defence Department and Vision Abell to produce several MLIS products for Defence," she said. "Other devices are currently under development and, combined with the Data Diode, these products will provide a true MLIS capability for the Department."

"The devices will be used with Defence's Joint Intelligence and Command Support Systems."

While few Data Diodes are available now, production is due to begin in December with deliveries due in March. They are to be manufactured in Adelaide.

"Vision Abell is also licensed to offer the Data Diode and other related items for commercial use," Ms McKinnie said. "This will help ensure support to Defence and perhaps some royalty payments which Defence can use for further information security research."

Further information: David Ockerby
(02) 6265 4958
A digitised image of the Data Diode Device is available via email on request
to (02) 6265 2703

Issued by the Defence Public Affairs Organisation, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT, 2600

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