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In a time when data has never been more valuable to government and businesses, and more vulnerable to cyber attacks, a new secure computer network platform has been developed for the Department of Defence (DoD) and government staff.
CSIRO's Data61 and the Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group have jointly developed the Cross-Domain Desktop Compositor (CDDC), software that allows users to access data and applications on multiple, physically separated networks on-screen simultaneously, providing a seamless user experience without sacrificing security.
Traditionally, as is this case with DoD and government staff, multiple segregated computer networks are used to maintain and protect classified data but it is a process that experts say forces a trade-off between usabiity and security.
Data61 said, to obtain the physical isolation security guarantees of hardware solutions, while maintaining the usability of software solutions, the CDDC employs a software-hardware co-enforcement design. Video data compositing is performed in trusted, secure hardware, which is in turn controlled by software running on seL4, which handles user input processing and switching.
While defence and other departments related to national security are the main focus, the CDDC has broader applications, such as supervisory and control systems, medical systems, and finance and banking.
The CDDC recently won two iAwards, named the national winner of Research and Development Project of the Year and Infrastructure and Platforms Innovation of the Year.
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