Reconciling avionics database management with security

New avionics applications such as multi-sensor data fusion are creating a need for databases which can be accessed and updated in a real-time avionics environment. Conventional database technology is generally inadequate for real-time avionics. The FIRM Program is designing and building a real-time object-oriented DBMS to support such applications. Given the availability of real-time database technology, this paper explores the technical issues of using multi-level security in a real-time avionics database environment. The perceived threat in the airborne environment is contrasted to that of a ground-based environment. After defining the problem and the design choices available, this paper summarizes a flexible approach to be demonstrated by the FIRM Program during Phase IV of its contract. This paper is about technical possibilities. It does not address the application of these ideas to specific programs or to security policy in general