Jump to content

SIPRNet

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Sherbrooke (talk | contribs) at 11:16, 3 December 2008 (Interwiki.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The SIPRNet (Secret Internet Protocol Router Network) 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 classified SECRET) by packet switching over the TCP/IP protocols in a "completely secure" environment. It also provides services such as hypertext documents and electronic mail. In other words, the SIPRNet is the DoD’s classified version of the civilian Internet together with its counterpart, the TOP SECRET and SCI Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System, JWICS. The NIPRNET is used to exchange sensitive but unclassified (SBU) information.

Naming and history

SIPRNet and NIPRnet are referred to colloquially as SIPR (pronounced 'sipper') and NIPR (pronounced 'nipper'), respectively. SIPRNet supersedes the earlier DSNET 1, the SECRET level of the Defense Data Network based on ARPANET technology.

Comparisons to Internet

Except for existing within a secure environment, the SIPRNet is virtually indistinguishable from the Internet to the user. Its chief visible difference is the domain name system, with almost all sites being under '.smil.mil' or '.sgov.gov' . Among its many features, computers cleared for SIPRNet access connect to the network via secure dial-up or LAN connections, access web pages written in standard HTML using a standard web browser, can upload and download files via FTP connections, and can send or receive email messages through SMTP services using any standard email client. All data transmitted on SIPRNet between secure facilities must be encrypted by approved NSA encryption systems. While the public Internet can be used to transmit encrypted SIPRNet packets ("SIPR over NIPR"), no access is permitted between the two networks.

See also

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=SIPRNet&oldid=255613375"