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Data Diode

What is Data Diode?

A hardware device that allows data to flow in only one direction, providing physical enforcement of one-way information transfer. Used in high-security environments to protect classified or sensitive networks.

Information Security

Frameworks that govern data diode

ISO 27001:2022View framework →NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0View framework →CIS Controls v8View framework →

What the standards actually require on data diode

Requirements naming data diode across 5 standards, quoted from the control text.

IACS Unified Requirements E26/E27 - Cyber Resilience of Ships and On-Board Systems1 control

UR E26 Goal 2 (Protect) requires network segmentation following IEC 62443 zones and conduits model. Ship networks must be segmented into zones based on criticality + function: Untrusted (internet + crew internet + guest networks);

IACS-UR-E26-Protect-NetworkSegmentation-Zones-Conduits-Boundary · IACS UR E26 Protect Goal - Network Segmentation + Zones + Conduits + Boundary Defence + Data Diodes →
CISA Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security Guidance2 controls

Isolate ICS networks from any untrusted networks, especially the Internet; lock down all unused ports and turn off all unused services. Allow real-time external connectivity only where there is a defined business or control requirement;

CISA-ICS-7S-3 · Reduce Your Attack Surface Area →
IAEA Nuclear Security Series - Computer Security at Nuclear Facilities (NSS-17-T Rev 1)1 control

NSS-17 + NSS-42-G require facility computer security architecture organised by Computer Security Zones (CSZs) implementing IAEA zone model.

IAEA-NSS17-Architecture-Zones-DefenceInDepth-Segmentation · IAEA NSS-17 - Computer Security Architecture + Zone Model + Defence in Depth + Network Segmentation + Boundary →
NIST SP 800-82 Revision 3: Guide to Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security1 control

Design and operate OT network architecture per NIST SP 800-82 Rev 3 Chapter 6 (OT Security Architecture). Apply the Purdue Enterprise Reference Architecture as the foundational structure: Level 0 Physical Process + Level 1 Basic Control + Level 2 Area Supervis...

NISTSP82-3 · OT Network Architecture: Zoned Architecture, Conduits, Segmentation, and Defence-in-Depth →
NRC 10 CFR 73.54 - Nuclear Facility Cybersecurity1 control

Implement Defensive Architecture per 10 CFR 73.54(c) using a defense-in-depth approach with multiple layers of protection. NRC RG 5.71 Appendix B describes the recommended Defensive Architecture with five Security Levels (Levels 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 0 with 4 highes...

NRC7354-3 · Defensive Architecture, Multi-Layer Defense, and Network Segregation →

Questions people ask about data diode

What is Data Diode?
A hardware device that allows data to flow in only one direction, providing physical enforcement of one-way information transfer. Used in high-security environments to protect classified or sensitive networks.
Why is Data Diode important for compliance?
Data Diode is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding data diode helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Data Diode?
Data Diode appears in the requirement text of IACS Unified Requirements E26/E27 - Cyber Resilience of Ships and On-Board Systems, CISA Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security Guidance, IAEA Nuclear Security Series - Computer Security at Nuclear Facilities (NSS-17-T Rev 1), NIST SP 800-82 Revision 3: Guide to Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security, NRC 10 CFR 73.54 - Nuclear Facility Cybersecurity. Across these standards we have identified 6 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Data Diode?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how data diode applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 686 frameworks.

See how Data Diode applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

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Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.