SmartXD Overview

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Sterling’s SmartXD product offerings provide enhanced cyber security solutions through our cross domain enabling technology.

 

Completely isolating mission critical clouds and networks is fundamental to maximizing cyber security in defense, intelligence, law enforcement, and certain commercial segments. However, this isolation has huge negative impacts on users who need to work across these environments.

SmartXD-Cyber Security - Sterling Computers

Sterling solves this problem with cross domain enablement products and solutions for cyber, actionable intelligence and command and control. Our XD Framework (XDF) and SmartXD technology enable multiple applications, tagged data and other data sources on different domains to be intelligently and rapidly integrated into powerful cross domain applications. Users can securely access and “drill down” on information across domains and cross domain application actions can be orchestrated. Our expertise and technology significantly reduce development time, lower the cost and simplify the certification of cross domain solutions. SmartXD solutions work with any data guard providing flexibility and investment protection over guard specific solutions. Sterling works closely with technology and integration partners to bring complete solutions to our customers.

Learn more about Sterling’s SmartXD technology below.

SmartXD is the core technology used for all of Sterling’s cross domain products and solutions. It is a combination of a set of reusable common services and design techniques. The Sterling XD Framework (XDF) is the product used to create SmartXD applications. Together, SmartXD and XDF support the agile development of flexible, intelligent, low cost cross domain applications. Specific benefits include the following:

• Work with any Data Guard (Flexibility, Investment Protection)
• Reusable Common Services (Rapid Development, Lower Cost)
• XD Enable Single Level COTS / GOTS apps (Non-Disruptive)
• SOA Application Model (Handles Simple to Complex Requirements)
• XML Schema is Only PL4 Component (Simplified Certification)
• Deploy as PL2 VMs (Easy to Manage, Enhance, Upgrade)

SmartXD applications are designed using a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) Model and deployed as a secure software appliance (VM) in each domain. This appliance hosts application specific logic, connectors to other systems, and XDF common services. Cross domain communication is performed using XML, through any certified data guard. Key architecture elements include:

• Integration Points – With systems, databases, and tagged data to request data and actions
• Data Processing – To merge, filter, trigger actions, and package XML for cross domain transfer
• User Interface – To present information and handle user interaction
• Orchestration – Initiating SOA actions
• XML Schema – Defines the application cross domain SOA communications

• Cross Domain Communication Services – To send or receive XML over any data guard
• Data Access Services – Access to databases, application data, or tagged data within or across domains
• Data Processing Services – Data masking and restoring; filters for volume, frequency, and behavior
• Brokering Services – Enterprise integration patterns, session management, and state validation
• User Interface Services – Add new information views and cross domain functionality
• Identity Services – Manages cross domain identities and performs delegated authentication
SmartXD Application design techniques are based on proven Service Oriented Architecture principles. These techniques include:

• Leverage existing applications and services through APIs and web services
• Abstract applications from environment differences
• Add intelligence at various points in the application and data flow
• Optimize data and network traffic for performance, security, and to meet user needs
• Leverage existing user experiences and user interface models
• Minimize coding by leveraging common services and modern application technologies
• Have well defined protocols between the components of the application