Since 9/11 there have been a million changes, large and small, within our government and our society. Technology has constantly evolved throughout history and 9/11 made that undoubtedly clear. Homeland security has developed great technology to keep our nation safe and secure from any kind of attack. I’ll go over a one that covers information and intelligence gathering and analysis. One type of technology is called the SIPR (Secret Internet Protocol Router).
The SIPR replaces DDN DSNET1 as the “secret” of DISN. A completely new router system makes up the infrastructure. Secret level network connectivity is based through secret level networks which provide base router connectivity to SIPRNET for the Department of Defense.
Transmission sevices use smart multiplexer and 512 kilobits per second (kbps) channels. Other transmissions will be leased as needed. Expansion is expected to reach T1 circuit data rate of 1.544 Megabits (Mbps) and potentially to the T3 data rate of 45 Mbps.
The “secret” layer of DISN is to support national defense C3I requirements including COMSEC keys with STU-III to make secure dialup SIPRNET communications. Many commanders request this service before deployment. SPIRNET is beginning to replace NIPRNET as a favorite.
SPIRNET began in 1994. It supports the Dept of Defense TCP/IP. Subscribed government agencies can use this to transmit datagrams at the SECRET-NOFORN classification level.
Key Terms & Abbreviations:
SIPR – Secret Internet Protocol Router
SPIRNET – Secret Internet Protocol Router Network
COMSEC – Technology providing telecommunication security through encryption
STU-III – The second type of COMSEC
NPIRNET – Non-Classified (or Secure) Internet Router Network
DSNET1 – TDN-1 gateway
SECRET-NOFORN – Secret Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals
