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 enables agencies to better protect federal data and adapt to evolving threats.

Key benefits include:

• Enable dynamic security oversight

Provide agencies with flexible, risk-based monitoring and enforcement for a variety of cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments.

• Strengthen compliance support

Facilitate alignment with federal mandates and OMB policies, helping organizations demonstrate adherence to security and privacy requirements.

• Enhance operational resilience

Improve network segmentation and traffic visibility, reducing the risk of widespread disruption from cyber incidents or infrastructure outages.

• Improve incident detection and response

Increase the ability to rapidly identify, contain, and remediate security events across distributed and diverse network perimeters.

• Support protection of sensitive data

Apply consistent controls to safeguard government information as it moves between internal systems, cloud providers, and external partners.

How it Works

The U.S. CISA Trusted Internet Connections (TIC) 3.0 framework establishes a flexible security architecture for federal networks, structured around core security capabilities and trust zones. Rather than prescribing a fixed set of controls, TIC 3.0 organizes requirements into security objectives and policy enforcement points that span traditional, cloud, and hybrid network environments. It emphasizes risk management, governance domains, and adaptable use cases to address modern network boundaries and evolving technologies.

Organizations implement TIC 3.0 by mapping its security objectives to operational security controls, integrating policy enforcement mechanisms, and continually assessing risk across diverse environments, including cloud and remote access scenarios. This involves conducting compliance assessments, ensuring alignment with federal standards, and monitoring for ongoing compliance and security posture. Agencies utilize TIC 3.0 to guide secure architecture design, optimize network segmentation, and maintain regulatory compliance.

Using SmartSuite, organizations can operationalize TIC 3.0 by using control libraries tailored to TIC security objectives, maintaining risk registers, and managing policy governance. The platform supports evidence collection, compliance tracking, and automated remediation workflows, helping teams maintain audit readiness. Real-time dashboards and reporting features facilitate monitoring of TIC 3.0 implementation and support governance and risk management activities.

Key Elements

• TIC Security Capabilities

Describes baseline security functions required to protect federal information and network traffic across environments.

• Trust Zones Architecture

Defines logical network segments that separate and secure resources based on trust levels and sensitivity.

• Policy Enforcement Points

Specifies checkpoints where security controls and compliance policies are applied to network traffic flows.

• Traffic Flow Guidance

Outlines approved network connectivity options for cloud, agency, and external service integration.

• Visibility and Monitoring Components

Establishes requirements for continuous observation and analysis of network activities and anomalies.

• Federal Enterprise Coordination

Organizes mechanisms for collaboration and standardization among federal agencies implementing TIC principles.

Framework Scope

U.S. CISA Trusted Internet Connections (TIC) 3.0 is adopted by federal agencies and organizations managing government networks and sensitive data. The framework governs security and risk management for enterprise networks, cloud services, and information systems, and is typically utilized to enhance network security, meet federal mandates, and support compliance oversight and assurance programs.

Framework Objectives

U.S. CISA Trusted Internet Connections (TIC) 3.0 defines modern security architecture to advance federal network cybersecurity and risk management.

Strengthen cybersecurity governance and oversight across federal information systems

Promote adoption of risk management best practices for network protection

Enhance operational resilience through continuous monitoring of security controls

Improve data protection by safeguarding sensitive and regulated information

Support regulatory compliance with federal cybersecurity directives and standards

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

Common Framework Mappings

CISA TIC 3.0 is commonly mapped to other security and compliance frameworks to ensure consistent network protection, regulatory alignment, and support for federal information system requirements across 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

‍