An environment for security model development

The authors introduce the security model development environment (SMDE), a suite of prototype tools that provide a systems engineering and integration approach to the development of secure systems. These tools provide an environment for security model development analogous to that of a conventional programming environment. The SMDE methodology supports the model developer via an iterative model design process. The common notation (CN) is the machine processible language for security model expression. The methodology and CN support the SMDE prototype tools: the model translator tool (MTT) and the testbed. The MTT automatically generates a rule base from a CN security model expression. The testbed simulates the activity of a secure system using a model´s rule base, and its structure establishes the feasibility of an alternative architecture for secure systems. The SMDE provides an iterative modeling process that increases the productivity of model designers while simultaneously making the model development process more accessible