| Security attributes are abstractions representing the basic properties or characteristics of an entity (e.g., subjects and objects) with respect to safeguarding information. These attributes are typically associated with internal data structures (e.g., records, buffers, files) within the network element and are used to enable the implementation of access control and flow control policies, reflect special dissemination, handling or distribution instructions, or support other aspects of the information security policy. The term security label is often used to associate a set of security attributes with a specific information object as part of the data structure for that object (e.g., user access privileges, nationality, affiliation as contractor). These attributes may be assigned during data processing however these assignments also need to be maintained while the data is in storage. Organizations define the security attributes (e.g., classified, FOUO) of their data. The binding of these attribute assignments to information must be maintained while the data is being transmitted natively or encapsulated into layer 2 or layer 3 tunnels. |
