A variety of networks operating in special security domains handle

classified information in the United States The United States government classification system is established under Executive Order 13526, the latest in a long series of executive orders on the topic beginning in 1951. Issued by President Barack Obama in 2009, Executive Order 13526 replac ...

or sensitive but unclassified information, while other specialized networks are reserved specifically for unclassified use by the same agencies. Some sites accessed from these networks have been referred to as "classified websites" in official communications, such as the American embassy "Amman's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/pinea/amman/" and "Mexico City's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity" Some of these trace back to the

Defense Data Network The Defense Data Network (DDN) was a computer networking effort of the United States Department of Defense from 1983 through 1995. It was based on ARPANET technology. History As an experiment, from 1971 to 1977, the Worldwide Military Command a ...

which split from the

Internet The Internet (or internet) is the global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a '' network of networks'' that consists of private, p ...

in 1983.

Networks

NIPRNet

NIPRNet The Non-classified Internet Protocol (IP) Router Network (NIPRNet) is an IP network used to exchange unclassified information, including information subject to controls on distribution, among the private network's users. The NIPRNet also provide ...

is a low-security network reserved for unclassified information, such as regular Internet websites and firewalled but unclassified military websites.

OpenNet

According to the U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual, "OpenNet is a physical and logical Internet Protocol (IP)-based global network that links the Department of State's Local Area Networks (LANs) domestically and abroad. The physical aspect of the network uses DTS circuits for posts abroad, FTS-2001-provided circuits, leased lines, and dial-up public switch networks. This includes interconnected hubs, routers, bridges, switches, and cables. The logical aspect of the network uses Integrated Enterprise Management System (NMS) and TCP/IP software, and other operational network applications. OpenNet is a Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) network, which supports e-mail and data applications."

OpenNet+

OpenNet+ is described for State Department use as using standard .state.gov domain names, which must be requested through a State Department intranet site at http://intranet.state.gov/ds3081 . Web site development cannot be done on machines directly connected to this network. The "www" prefix is not to be used on OpenNet+, as it is reserved for use on the Internet.

DNI-U (OSIS)

OSIS was the name of an "unclassified network serving the intelligence community with open-source intelligence". Originally used to refer both to the network and to the content it provided, it has since been decoupled, with the content named "Intelink-U", while the network continues as DNI-U. The network is maintained by the DNI-CIO Intelligence Community Enterprise Services office (ICES).

ClassNet

ClassNet A variety of networks operating in special security domains handle classified information in the United States or sensitive but unclassified information, while other specialized networks are reserved specifically for unclassified use by the same ag ...

domain names for the State Department take the form ".state.sgov.gov". Web pages for ClassNet may be developed on a "classified workstation". "Any workstation used for development purposes may not serve as the operational repository of images, files, or other information associated with a Web site." ClassNet is used for telecommunications, and its use is promoted by the Business Center Division. Two versions of the State Messaging and Archival Retrieval Toolset (SMART) database were created, one with a maximum rating of Sensitive but Unclassified (SBU) for OpenNet+, and one with a top rating of Secret for ClassNet. Intel GreenDoor

SIPRNet (DSNET1)

SIPRNet The Secure Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet) is "a system of interconnected computer networks used by the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of State to transmit classified information (up to and including information cl ...

is a medium-security network for handling information that is classified as Secret or below. It may be used to access classified websites run by the

Defense Intelligence Agency The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is an intelligence agency and combat support agency of the United States Department of Defense, specializing in defense and military intelligence. A component of the Department of Defense (DoD) and the ...

. SIPRNet replaced the

DSNET1 component.

NSANet

NSANet handles information rated

Top Secret Classified information is material that a government body deems to be sensitive information that must be protected. Access is restricted by law or regulation to particular groups of people with the necessary security clearance and need to kn ...

or Sensitive Compartmented Information.

JWICS

The Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (

JWICS The Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communication System (JWICS, ) is the United States Department of Defense's secure intranet system that houses top secret and sensitive compartmented information. JWICS superseded the earlier DSNET2 and DSNET3, th ...

) is a secure

TCP/IP The Internet protocol suite, commonly known as TCP/IP, is a framework for organizing the set of communication protocols used in the Internet and similar computer networks according to functional criteria. The foundational protocols in the su ...

network providing services such as

hypertext Hypertext is text displayed on a computer display or other electronic devices with references ( hyperlinks) to other text that the reader can immediately access. Hypertext documents are interconnected by hyperlinks, which are typically ...

and

e-mail Electronic mail (email or e-mail) is a method of exchanging messages ("mail") between people using electronic devices. Email was thus conceived as the electronic (digital) version of, or counterpart to, mail, at a time when "mail" meant ...

rated up to

and SCI. JWICS replaced the

DSNET2 (Top Secret) and DSNET3 (SCI) networks.

Note

SI = Special / Secret Intelligence TK is a codeword classification, standing for Talent Keyhole, meaning IMINT. TS/SI/TK is often used as a blanket "entry level clearance" for conferences, etc., as it is one of the most carefully controlled and restricted. B = BYEMAN (National Reconnaissance Office)

References

{{Reflist Military-themed websites United States government secrecy Military intelligence agencies