Federal Government DNS Filtering | FISMA Compliant Network Security

Why Federal Government Needs DNS Filtering

Federal government agencies are the most frequently targeted entities by advanced persistent content risk (APT) groups. Nation-state actors from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea maintain dedicated cyber operations units focused on infiltrating U.S. government networks to steal intelligence, disrupt operations, and undermine national security. The SolarWinds compromise demonstrated how a single supply chain attack can penetrate multiple federal agencies simultaneously.

The federal attack surface is enormous and growing. Agencies operate hundreds of thousands of endpoints across data centers, office buildings, field offices, and remote worker locations. The shift to cloud services and the expansion of telework under federal mandates has dissolved the traditional network perimeter, creating new challenges for security teams already stretched thin by the cybersecurity talent shortage in government.

DNS filtering provides a critical security control that works regardless of where federal employees are located or what devices they use. By resolving all DNS queries through a filtered service, agencies can block connections to APT restricted infrastructure, restricted domains targeting government credentials, and unsafe content distribution networks. This control operates at the network layer, protecting even unmanaged devices connecting to government WiFi networks.

Federal Compliance & Directive Alignment

DNS filtering supports compliance across multiple federal cybersecurity mandates and directives

FISMA & NIST 800-53

FISMA requires federal agencies to implement security controls from NIST SP 800-53. DNS filtering addresses multiple control families including Access Control (AC), System and Communications Protection (SC), and System and Information Integrity (SI). Specifically, SC-7 (Boundary Protection) and SI-3 (Malicious Code Protection) are directly supported by DNS-layer filtering.

CISA Binding Operational Directives

CISA's Binding Operational Directive 18-01 required agencies to implement DMARC and improve DNS security. Subsequent directives have emphasized the need for DNS-layer protections against restricted content and unsafe content. DNS filtering provides the technical capability to comply with current and future CISA directives related to DNS security posture.

Executive Order 14028

The 2021 Executive Order on Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity mandates zero trust architecture adoption and enhanced content filtering. DNS filtering is a foundational element of zero trust DNS, ensuring that every domain resolution request is verified and authorized. It provides the continuous monitoring and logging capabilities the EO requires.

CDM Program Alignment

The Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) program requires agencies to monitor network activity and identify unauthorized connections. DNS filtering provides real-time visibility into every domain accessed by agency systems, supporting CDM's goals of asset management, identity and access management, and network security monitoring.

90M+

Domains Categorized

58

Filtering Categories

32K+

APT Domains Blocked Daily

Zero

Trust DNS Architecture

Federal Government DNS Filtering Capabilities

Enterprise features built for the unique requirements of federal agency security operations

Zero Trust DNS Resolution

Implement zero trust principles at the DNS layer. Every DNS query is evaluated against content classification, policy rules, and behavioral analytics before resolution. No domain is trusted by default, aligning with OMB M-22-09 and the federal zero trust architecture strategy.

Multi-Classification Support

Apply different DNS filtering policies to networks handling different classification levels. Unclassified, CUI, and sensitive network segments each receive tailored filtering profiles. Strict allowlisting for high-security zones ensures only approved domains are resolvable.

Supply Chain Protection

Monitor and control DNS queries from contractor systems and third-party connections to your agency network. Block connections to domains associated with supply chain compromise campaigns. Detect anomalous DNS patterns that could indicate a compromised vendor connection.

APT content classification

Our content classification includes domains linked to APT groups specifically targeting federal agencies, including APT29, APT28, Lazarus Group, and other state-sponsored actors. classification feeds are updated in real-time as CISA and intelligence community partners identify new infrastructure.

Federal Telework Security

Protect remote federal employees with DNS filtering that extends to home networks and mobile connections. Meet the security requirements for federal telework programs while enabling productivity. GFE and BYOD devices maintain consistent protection regardless of location.

FISMA Audit Reporting

Generate reports mapped to NIST 800-53 controls for FISMA assessments. Demonstrate DNS filtering effectiveness with metrics required for ATO documentation. Export data in formats compatible with agency GRC platforms and IG audit requirements.

Federal Government Use Cases

How federal agencies deploy DNS filtering to protect national security and citizen data

Civilian Agency Network Protection

A large civilian agency with 50,000 employees deploys DNS filtering across its headquarters, regional offices, and teleworkers. When a spear-restricted content campaign impersonates the agency's HR portal during open enrollment, DNS filtering blocks the credential harvesting domain within minutes. The agency's SOC uses DNS logs to identify all targeted employees and assess the attack's scope for CISA reporting.

DoD Contractor Security

A defense contractor handling CUI deploys DNS filtering to meet CMMC Level 2 requirements. DNS filtering ensures that engineering workstations accessing controlled technical data cannot communicate with foreign-controlled domains. When an employee's personal device on the guest network attempts to resolve a domain linked to a known Chinese APT group, the query is blocked and flagged for investigation.

Federal Data Center Security

A federal shared services provider protects its data center infrastructure serving multiple agencies. DNS filtering prevents compromised servers from establishing outbound connections to restricted network infrastructure. Strict allowlisting on production systems ensures that only approved software update domains, API endpoints, and service dependencies can be resolved, reducing the risk of supply chain attacks.

Border and Immigration Security

An agency operating at border checkpoints and field offices deploys DNS filtering to protect systems processing sensitive biometric and immigration data. Remote field offices with limited IT support benefit from cloud-based DNS filtering that requires no on-premise hardware. DNS filtering prevents field devices from accessing compromised domains during travel investigations and background check processing.

Secure Your Agency's Network Today

Deploy FISMA-aligned DNS filtering across your agency in minutes. Meet compliance mandates while blocking nation-state content risks in real time.

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DNS Filtering for Federal Government