Since joining the 4Secure team, I’ve had the chance to dive deep into a subject that’s quickly gone from “that sounds interesting” to “why aren’t more people doing this already?”… streaming data securely between classified and sensitive domains.
If you’ve worked in or around UK defence, government, or national infrastructure, you’ll know that moving data between networks isn’t simple. It’s never just a question of bandwidth or speed; it’s about maintaining absolute assurance that nothing slips through the cracks. Traditionally, this has meant transferring files through staged, manual processes. And while that’s worked (sort of), it feels increasingly out of step with the world we now operate in.
Why File Transfers Are Falling Behind
In low-tempo environments, sending files from A to B might do the job. But for modern missions – fast-paced, data-driven, and reliant on real-time inputs – the lag introduced by packaging, scanning, and validating files becomes more than a frustration. It’s a blocker.
We’re talking about environments where every second counts. Think live video feeds from a forward operating unit, system logs that tell you something’s not quite right, or telemetry from critical platforms. If that data sits in a queue waiting for the green light, decision-makers don’t get the full picture when they need it most.
Streaming Data – Without Compromising Security
This is where TrustedFilter® really comes into its own. It flips the old model on its head, moving from bulk file transfers to real-time, policy-enforced data streaming. That means structured data can now flow continuously between segregated domains, with the right safeguards still in place.
For me, what’s so impressive is how granular the control is. You can define exactly what gets through (telemetry, logs, even video), how it’s formatted (think date formats or hexadecimal structures), and how it’s filtered or transformed before it crosses the divide.
When used in conjunction with a data diode, we’re not just enforcing a one-way street; we’re enabling near-instantaneous movement of data that’s been semantically and syntactically verified (as per NCSC guidance), all while upholding the highest security standards. And where the mission calls for it, TrustedFilter® can even support controlled two-way communication – for example, sending back acknowledgements or commands.
Seeing Is Believing: Real-Time Secure Video Transfer
One of the real-world use cases I’ve been most excited to learn about is secure video streaming into a Security and Networks Operations Centre (SNOC). Instead of screenshots or clunky file exports, live video is streamed directly from a lower-security domain into a classified environment in real time, with full protocol breaks and inspection.
This kind of capability has a huge impact on situational awareness. Imagine an ops team being able to view a live camera feed from another network without breaching policy. It means faster responses, more informed decision-making, and a higher level of operational cohesion.
Looking Ahead
Of course, there’ll always be situations where file transfer makes sense. But for the vast majority of modern defence operations, it’s time we acknowledged its limitations. Streaming isn’t just faster… it’s smarter, more adaptable, and better aligned with how today’s missions unfold.
For me, learning about TrustedFilter® has been eye-opening. It’s not often you see a solution that so clearly balances technical assurance with real-world practicality. I’m genuinely excited to be part of a company pushing this innovation forward, and even more excited to help our defence partners unlock its potential.
By Ben Josephs-Franks, 4Secure
