Modes of Operation

Question 1

What are the 4 Modes of Operation for an IT system?

Answer 1

Dedicated
System High
Compartmented
Multilevel

Question 2

Explain Dedicated

Answer 2

The system contains objects of one classification label only. All subjects must possess a clearance equal to or higher than the object’s label.
Subjects must have appropriate clearance, formal access approval, and need to know.

Question 3

Explain System High

Answer 3

The system contains objects of mixed classification labels. All subjects must possess a clearance equal to or higher than the highest object’s classification.

Question 4

Explain Compartmented

Answer 4

All subjects accessing the system have the necessary clearance but do not have the appropriate formal access approval or need to know for all the information on the system.
Objects are placed into compartments, then the system uses technical controls to enforce need to know access.

Question 5

Explain Multilevel

Answer 5

Systems store objects of differing sensitivity labels, and allows subjects with different clearances access. The reference monitor mediates access between objects and subjects.