The A/B, A/B/C, or A/B/C/D switch within an IP-based VTC system supporting conferences on multiple networks having different classification levels must be based on optical technologies to maintain electrical isolation between the various networks to which it connects.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-43020	RTS-VTC 7100	SV-55749r1_rule	EBCR-1	Medium

Description
The A/B, A/B/C, or A/B/C/D switch is physically connected to multiple networks having different classification levels. Copper-based switches provide minimal or no electrical isolation due to capacitance between the wires in the switch box and the switch contacts. This can permit information on one network to bleed or leak over to the other network, which can lead to the disclosure of classified information on a classified network to a network of lower classification. This must be prevented. Optical fiber is an insulator, thus it carries no electrical current and generates no electromagnetic field, eliminating the capacitance issue. As such, it provides excellent electrical isolation between the networks to which it connects.

Description

The A/B, A/B/C, or A/B/C/D switch is physically connected to multiple networks having different classification levels. Copper-based switches provide minimal or no electrical isolation due to capacitance between the wires in the switch box and the switch contacts. This can permit information on one network to bleed or leak over to the other network, which can lead to the disclosure of classified information on a classified network to a network of lower classification. This must be prevented. Optical fiber is an insulator, thus it carries no electrical current and generates no electromagnetic field, eliminating the capacitance issue. As such, it provides excellent electrical isolation between the networks to which it connects.

STIG	Date
Video Services Policy STIG	2014-06-26

Details

Check Text ( C-49177r5_chk )
Review A/B, A/B/C, or A/B/C/D switch vendor documentation to determine if optical technologies are used to maintain electrical isolation between the input port/connection and between all selectable output ports/connections. If this is not the case, this is a finding. Validate approved equipment is being used. DISN Video Services (DVS) maintains a list of A/B, A/B/C, or A/B/C/D switches that have been certified to meet the above requirements at http://disa.mil/Services/Network-Services/Video/~/media/Files/DISA/Services/DVS/red_black_peripherals.xls. If the A/B, A/B/C, or A/B/C/D switch is not on the list, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-49177r5_chk )

Review A/B, A/B/C, or A/B/C/D switch vendor documentation to determine if optical technologies are used to maintain electrical isolation between the input port/connection and between all selectable output ports/connections. If this is not the case, this is a finding.
Validate approved equipment is being used. DISN Video Services (DVS) maintains a list of A/B, A/B/C, or A/B/C/D switches that have been certified to meet the above requirements at http://disa.mil/Services/Network-Services/Video/~/media/Files/DISA/Services/DVS/red_black_peripherals.xls.
If the A/B, A/B/C, or A/B/C/D switch is not on the list, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-48604r4_fix)
Obtain and install an approved A/B, A/B/C, or A/B/C/D switch.