A new capability for creation of MLS ATM LANs and WANs

ATM data networks are being implemented by the DoD in an effort to provide the high throughput needed to satisfy emerging user missions. End-to-end network encryption has become available in the form of the FASTLANE (KG-75) in-line ATM encryptor. This device operates at speeds up to 622 Mbps and is approved by the National Security Agency for use with data of all security levels up to and including TS/SCI. Though FASTLANE is being developed to be a multi-level secure (MLS) device, there has been no device available that could feed it MLS data. This causes an economic and operational penalty for users in that they must use traditional secure network architectures which employ a separate encryptor for each security level of data being processed. We report in this paper on a prototype device that has been demonstrated to provide the secure MLS multiplexing of ATM data streams needed in allowing a single FASTLANE to provide MLS encryption services.