Bell-LaPadula Model: Star-Property Explained | SSCP Exam Prep

Star-Property in Bell-LaPadula Model | SSCP Exam

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In the Bell-LaPadula model, the Star-property is also called:

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A. B. C. D.

B.

The Bell-LaPadula model focuses on data confidentiality and access to classified information, in contrast to the Biba Integrity Model which describes rules for the protection of data integrity.

In this formal model, the entities in an information system are divided into subjects and objects.

The notion of a "secure state" is defined, and it is proven that each state transition preserves security by moving from secure state to secure state, thereby proving that the system satisfies the security objectives of the model.

The Bell-LaPadula model is built on the concept of a state machine with a set of allowable states in a system.

The transition from one state to another state is defined by transition functions.

A system state is defined to be "secure" if the only permitted access modes of subjects to objects are in accordance with a security policy.

To determine whether a specific access mode is allowed, the clearance of a subject is compared to the classification of the object (more precisely, to the combination of classification and set of compartments, making up the security level) to determine if the subject is authorized for the specific access mode.

The clearance/classification scheme is expressed in terms of a lattice.

The model defines two mandatory access control (MAC) rules and one discretionary access control (DAC) rule with three security properties: The Simple Security Property - a subject at a given security level may not read an object at a higher security level (no read-up)

The property (read "star"-property) - a subject at a given security level must not write to any object at a lower security level (no write-down)

The property is also known as the Confinement property.

The Discretionary Security Property - use an access control matrix to specify the discretionary access control.

The transfer of information from a high-sensitivity document to a lower-sensitivity document may happen in the Bell-LaPadula model via the concept of trusted subjects.

Trusted Subjects are not restricted by the property.Untrusted subjects are.

Trusted Subjects must be shown to be trustworthy with regard to the security policy.

This security model is directed toward access control and is characterized by the phrase: "no read up, no write down." Compare the Biba model, the Clark-Wilson model and the Chinese Wall.

With Bell-LaPadula, users can create content only at or above their own security level (i.e.

secret researchers can create secret or top-secret files but may not create public files; no write-down)

Conversely, users can view content only at or below their own security level (i.e.

secret researchers can view public or secret files, but may not view top-secret files; no read-up)

StrongProperty - The Strong Property is an alternative to the Property in which subjects may write to objects with only a matching security level.

Thus, the write-up operation permitted in the usual Property is not present, only a write-to-same level operation.

The Strong Property is usually discussed in the context of multilevel database management systems and is motivated by integrity concerns.

Tranquility principle - The tranquility principle of the Bell-LaPadula model states that the classification of a subject or object does not change while it is being referenced.

There are two forms to the tranquility principle: the "principle of strong tranquility" states that security levels do not change during the normal operation of the system and the "principle of weak tranquility" states that security levels do not change in a way that violates the rules of a given security policy.

Another interpretation of the tranquility principles is that they both apply only to the period of time during which an operation involving an object or subject is occurring.

That is, the strong tranquility principle means that an object's security level/label will not change during an operation (such as read or write); the weak tranquility principle means that an object's security level/label may change in a way that does not violate the security policy during an operation.

Reference(s) used for this question: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biba_Model http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandatory_access_control http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discretionary_access_control http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark-Wilson_model http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brewer_and_Nash_model.

The Bell-LaPadula model is a security model used for protecting the confidentiality of information in computer systems. The model is based on the concept of multilevel security and is designed to prevent unauthorized access to data by enforcing rules about how information can be accessed and manipulated.

The Star-property is a security property that is one of the core principles of the Bell-LaPadula model. It is also known as the *-property, or the "star property," and it states that no information can flow from a higher level of security to a lower level of security, unless it is explicitly authorized.

In other words, the Star-property ensures that information at a higher level of security cannot be accessed or modified by users or processes at a lower level of security. This helps to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information and protects the confidentiality of data.

The Star-property is often also called the "simple security property" because it is the most basic and fundamental property of the Bell-LaPadula model. It is a necessary condition for enforcing the other security properties in the model, such as the *-property and the strong *-property.

In summary, the Star-property in the Bell-LaPadula model is a fundamental security principle that ensures that information at a higher level of security cannot be accessed or modified by users or processes at a lower level of security. It is also known as the "simple security property" and is a necessary condition for enforcing other security properties in the model.