In today’s world, sharing information quickly and securely is crucial for military operations. The U.S., along with its allies, relies on real-time data exchange across different systems, such as weapons platforms and command centers. However, not all information is created equal—some is highly classified, while other data might be less sensitive. To manage this, we use Cross-Domain Solutions (CDS). These systems ensure that only the right data, properly filtered and secured, moves between networks of varying classification levels.
CDS systems face a big challenge: they must be incredibly secure to block cyber threats but also adaptable to new kinds of data and changing rules about what can be shared. Meeting these conflicting demands requires innovative software—and this is where open-source software comes in.
What Is Open-Source Software?
Open-source software is like a community garden. It’s software whose code is publicly available, meaning anyone can view, use, and improve it. One famous example is Linux, a powerful operating system used worldwide. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) worked with others to enhance Linux’s security by developing Security-Enhanced Linux (SELinux). These enhancements, now part of the main Linux system, have made it a go-to choice for building robust cybersecurity solutions, including CDS.
Why Is Open-Source Software So Secure?
Open-source software might sound risky because anyone can see the code, but it’s often more secure than proprietary, closed-source software. Here’s why:
- Transparency and Peer Review: Anyone can examine open-source code for flaws, making it easier to spot and fix vulnerabilities. This global peer-review process often ensures better quality.
- Faster Fixes: Since the community can collaborate to solve problems, bugs and vulnerabilities are patched faster.
- Expert Collaboration: Open-source projects benefit from contributions by developers and security experts worldwide, leading to better security practices.
- No Hidden Backdoors: Closed-source software can include undisclosed weaknesses, but with open source, everything is out in the open for review.
- Customizability: Organizations can tailor open-source software to fit their specific needs, unlike proprietary software that often locks users into pre-packaged solutions.
- Focus on Security: Many open-source projects, especially those widely used in critical systems, treat security as a top priority.
These benefits outweigh the risks of bad actors accessing the code because vulnerabilities are harder to hide in such a transparent environment.
Open Source for Flexibility: The Role of Apache Daffodil
Cybersecurity systems also need to handle a huge variety of data formats. Modern formats like JSON and XML are common, but many military systems rely on older formats, such as Link16 or VMF, which have been in use for decades. Traditionally, CDS vendors created proprietary tools to process these formats, but these tools often locked organizations into expensive, hard-to-maintain systems.
That’s changing thanks to an open standard called Data Format Description Language (DFDL), recently published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). With DFDL, organizations can describe how different data formats work using something called a “DFDL Schema.” A free, open-source tool called Apache Daffodil™, developed by the Apache Software Foundation, allows these schemas to be used to transform data into more common formats like JSON or XML. This makes it easier to inspect, share, or modify the data using industry-standard tools.
Here’s the best part: DFDL schemas are not programs. They can’t run malware or viruses. Adding support for a new data format in a cybersecurity system is as simple as adding a new schema—no complex programming required.
Why Trust Open-Source Software?
The Apache Software Foundation, which manages projects like Daffodil, follows strict quality control practices. For example, when a major security issue was discovered in a widely used library called Log4J in 2021, the Apache Daffodil team patched it within two weeks. The Foundation’s rigorous development practices, including code reviews and extensive testing, ensure that its software is both reliable and secure.
The Big Picture
From Linux to Apache Daffodil, open-source software is revolutionizing cybersecurity. It’s making systems more secure, more flexible, and more cost-effective—without the downsides of vendor lock-in or outdated tools. By combining innovation with transparency, open-source software is helping to protect vital systems and enable seamless collaboration in an increasingly connected world.
Owl engineers have been core contributors to Daffodil from its genesis to its status today as Apache Daffodil. Learn more about how we can assist you with custom data filtering, accreditation assistance, device vulnerability testing, and more to enable unmatched security in your sensitive networks at: Custom Data Filtering | Owl Cyber Defense.
Apache Daffodil™ is a trademark of the Apache Software Foundation.
