Defence Contractor Removes Attack Paths Through Physical Segmentation of Classified Data
Zero
Network paths to classified data
The Problem
Defence contractors must maintain strict separation between classified and unclassified environments. Traditional approaches use software-defined segmentation, which auditors and adversaries alike recognise as vulnerable to misconfiguration and exploitation.
The Scenario
A penetration test revealed that a software-defined boundary between the contractor's commercial IT and a classified programme environment could be bypassed through a misconfigured firewall rule. The contractor needed to demonstrate to MOD auditors that the separation was absolute.
The Protection
- Classified programme data stored on physically disconnected hardware
- No network interface present on classified storage when not in active session
- Key material and cryptographic assets isolated in offline vault
- Physical architecture satisfies DEFSTAN 05-138 separation requirements
The Outcome
Zero Network paths to classified data
MOD auditors confirmed the separation could not be bypassed through any network-based attack. The contractor passed re-accreditation on first assessment. The physical architecture eliminated an entire class of audit findings that had persisted for three years under the previous software-based approach.
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