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DNSIX, short for DoD Network Security for Information Exchange, is a protocol and framework engineered to enable secure communication within Department of Defense networks. It primarily focuses on embedding security attributes within data packets via token mapping. This mapping approach allows systems interconnected within DoD environments to enforce strict access controls and data labeling according to classification or user privilege level.

Technically, DNSIX operates by generating and embedding security attribute tokens within transmitted data. These tokens encapsulate metadata like classification level, user role, or origin, which downstream systems can read and act upon to grant, restrict, or log access. By doing so, the protocol facilitates granular and attribute-driven security policies that are critical in multi-domain, multi-level security environments such as those in defense sectors.

Its implementation typically involves both TCP and UDP transports, ensuring flexible communication channels. While less prominent in contemporary commercial deployments, DNSIX remains relevant in specialized, legacy, or highly regulated government infrastructures that demand robust attribute tagging for information control.