U.S. CISA Trusted Internet Connections (TIC) 3.0 — Federal Network Security Architecture

Why it Matters

CISA TIC 3.0 offers a modern security architecture that enablesagencies to better protect federal data and adapt to evolvingthreats.

Key benefits include:

• Enable dynamic security oversight

Provide agencieswith flexible, risk-based monitoring and enforcement for a variety ofcloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments.

• Strengthen compliance support

Facilitatealignment with federal mandates and OMB policies, helpingorganizations demonstrate adherence to security and privacyrequirements.

• Enhance operational resilience

Improve networksegmentation and traffic visibility, reducing the risk of widespreaddisruption from cyber incidents or infrastructure outages.

• Improve incident detection and response

Increase theability to rapidly identify, contain, and remediate security eventsacross distributed and diverse network perimeters.

• Support protection of sensitive data

Apply consistentcontrols to safeguard government information as it moves betweeninternal systems, cloud providers, and external partners.

How it Works

The U.S. CISA Trusted Internet Connections (TIC) 3.0 frameworkestablishes a flexible security architecture for federal networks,structured around core security capabilities and trust zones. Ratherthan prescribing a fixed set of controls, TIC 3.0 organizesrequirements into security objectives and policy enforcement pointsthat span traditional, cloud, and hybrid network environments. Itemphasizes risk management, governance domains, and adaptable usecases to address modern network boundaries and evolving technologies.

Organizations implement TIC 3.0 by mapping its security objectives tooperational security controls, integrating policy enforcementmechanisms, and continually assessing risk across diverseenvironments, including cloud and remote access scenarios. Thisinvolves conducting compliance assessments, ensuring alignment withfederal standards, and monitoring for ongoing compliance and securityposture. Agencies utilize TIC 3.0 to guide secure architecturedesign, optimize network segmentation, and maintain regulatorycompliance.

Using SmartSuite, organizations can operationalize TIC 3.0 byleveraging control libraries tailored to TIC security objectives,maintaining risk registers, and managing policy governance. Theplatform supports evidence collection, compliance tracking, andautomated remediation workflows, helping teams maintain auditreadiness. Real-time dashboards and reporting features facilitatecomprehensive monitoring of TIC 3.0 implementation and supportgovernance and risk management activities.

Key Elements

• TIC Security Capabilities

Describesbaseline security functions required to protect federal informationand network traffic across environments.

• Trust Zones Architecture

Defines logicalnetwork segments that separate and secure resources based on trustlevels and sensitivity.

• Policy Enforcement Points

Specifiescheckpoints where security controls and compliance policies areapplied to network traffic flows.

• Traffic Flow Guidance

Outlines approvednetwork connectivity options for cloud, agency, and external serviceintegration.

• Visibility and Monitoring Components

Establishesrequirements for continuous observation and analysis of networkactivities and anomalies.

• Federal Enterprise Coordination

Organizesmechanisms for collaboration and standardization among federalagencies implementing TIC principles.

Framework Scope

U.S. CISA Trusted Internet Connections (TIC) 3.0 is adopted byfederal agencies and organizations managing government networks andsensitive data. The framework governs security and risk managementfor enterprise networks, cloud services, and information systems, andis typically utilized to enhance network security, meet federalmandates, and support compliance oversight and robust assuranceprograms.

Framework Objectives

U.S. CISA Trusted Internet Connections (TIC) 3.0 defines modernsecurity architecture to advance federal network cybersecurity andrisk management.

Strengthen cybersecurity governance and oversight across federalinformation systems

Promote adoption of risk management best practices for networkprotection

Enhance operational resilience through continuous monitoring ofsecurity controls

Improve data protection by safeguarding sensitive and regulatedinformation

Support regulatory compliance with federal cybersecurity directivesand standards

Enable audit readiness by documenting network security activities andcontrols CISA TIC 3.0 aligns with frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53,FedRAMP, and ISO 27001, emphasizing secure federal networkarchitectures and cloud environments. U.S. federal agencies typicallyimplement TIC 3.0 to meet regulatory mandates, standardize secureaccess, and enhance security posture for government and hybrid cloudoperations.

Common Framework Mappings

CISA TIC 3.0 is commonly mapped to other security and complianceframeworks to ensure consistent network protection, regulatoryalignment, and support for federal information system requirementsacross diverse environments.

Mapped frameworks include:

CIS Critical Security Controls

FedRAMP

FIPS 140-3

ISO/IEC 27001

NIST Cybersecurity Framework

NIST SP 800-53

PCI DSS

SOC 2

StateRAMP

Zero Trust Maturity Model

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