Software Defined Perimeter – Specification 1.0

Publication Author

Co-authored by Juanita Koilpillai, Founder and CEO of Waverley Labs, and other members of Cloud Security Alliance Software Defined Perimeter Working Group.

Abstract

This document describes the Software Defined Perimeter (SDP) protocol, which is designed to provide on-demand, dynamically provisioned, air-gapped networks. Air-gapped networks are trusted networks that are isolated from all unsecured networks and this may allow them to mitigate network-based attacks. The SDP protocol is based on workflows invented by the Department of Defense (DoD) and used by some Federal Agencies. Networks based on these workflows provide a higher level of security, but are thought to be very difficult to use compared to traditional enterprise networks.

The Software Defined Perimeter (SDP) has adapted the generalized DoD workflow but has modified it for commercial use and made it compatible with existing enterprise security controls. Where applicable, SDP has followed NIST guidelines on cryptographic protocols. SDP can be used in government applications such as enabling secure access to FedRAMP certified cloud networks as well as enterprise applications such as enabling secure mobile phone access to public clouds.

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