The Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet) is "a system of interconnected computer network
A computer network is a collection of communicating computers and other devices, such as printers and smart phones. In order to communicate, the computers and devices must be connected by wired media like copper cables, optical fibers, or b ...
s used by the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of State to transmit classified information
Classified information is confidential material that a government deems to be sensitive information which must be protected from unauthorized disclosure that requires special handling and dissemination controls. Access is restricted by law or ...
(up to and including information classified SECRET
Secrecy is the practice of hiding information from certain individuals or groups who do not have the "need to know", perhaps while sharing it with other individuals. That which is kept hidden is known as the secret.
Secrecy is often controver ...
) by packet switching
In telecommunications, packet switching is a method of grouping Data (computing), data into short messages in fixed format, i.e. ''network packet, packets,'' that are transmitted over a digital Telecommunications network, network. Packets consi ...
over the 'completely secure' environment". It also provides services such as hypertext
Hypertext is E-text, 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 typic ...
document access and electronic mail
Electronic mail (usually shortened to email; alternatively hyphenated e-mail) is a method of transmitting and receiving Digital media, digital messages using electronics, electronic devices over a computer network. It was conceived in the ...
. As such, SIPRNet is the DoD's classified version of the civilian Internet
The Internet (or internet) is the Global network, global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a internetworking, network of networks ...
.
SIPRNet is the secret component of the Defense Information Systems Network. Other components handle communications with other security needs, such as the NIPRNet, which is used for nonsecure communications, and the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS), which is used for Top Secret
Classified information is confidential material that a government deems to be sensitive information which must be protected from unauthorized disclosure that requires special handling and dissemination controls. Access is restricted by law or ...
communications.
Access
According to the U.S. Department of State Web Development Handbook, domain structure and naming conventions are the same as for the open internet, except for the addition of a second-level domain
In the Domain Name System (DNS) hierarchy, a second-level domain (SLD or 2LD) is a domain that is directly below a top-level domain (TLD). For example, in , is the second-level domain of the TLD.
Second-level domains commonly refer to the organ ...
, like, e.g., "sgov" between state and gov: openforum.state.sgov.gov. Files originating from SIPRNet are marked by a header tag "SIPDIS" (SIPrnet DIStribution). A corresponding second-level domain smil.mil exists for DoD users.
Access is also available to a "...small pool of trusted allies, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand...". This group (including the US) is known as the Five Eyes.
SIPRNet was one of the networks accessed by Chelsea Manning
Chelsea Elizabeth Manning (born Bradley Edward Manning, December 17, 1987) is an American activist and whistleblower. She is a former United States Army soldier who was convicted by court-martial in July 2013 of violations of the Espionage ...
, convicted of leaking the video used in WikiLeaks
WikiLeaks () is a non-profit media organisation and publisher of leaked documents. It is funded by donations and media partnerships. It has published classified documents and other media provided by anonymous sources. It was founded in 2006 by ...
' " Collateral Murder" release as well as the source of the US diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks in November 2010.
Alternate names
SIPRNet and NIPRNet are referred tocolloquially
Colloquialism (also called ''colloquial language'', ''colloquial speech'', ''everyday language'', or ''general parlance'') is the linguistic style used for casual and informal communication. It is the most common form of speech in conversation am ...
as ''SIPPERnet'' and ''NIPPERnet'' (or simply ''sipper'' and ''nipper''), respectively.
See also
*CAVNET CAVNET was a secure military forum which became operational in April 2004. A part of SIPRNet, it allows fast access to knowledge acquired on the ground in combat.
It was used in Iraq war, and helps US military forces against the insurgents
...
* Classified website
* NIPRNet
* RIPR
* Intellipedia
Intellipedia is an online system for collaborative data sharing used by the United States Intelligence Community (IC). It was established as a pilot project in late 2005 and formally announced in April 2006. Intellipedia consists of three wik ...
* Protective distribution system
* NATO CRONOS
References
External links
DISA
by the Federation of American Scientists' Intelligence Resource Program
They've Got Learning Locked Down
– article detailing U.S. Coast Guard Academy classroom being first to get access to SIPRNet
BBC Article on SIPRNet
{{DEFAULTSORT:Siprnet Wide area networks Cryptography United States government secrecy Military communications of the United States