NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CIP Practice Questions and Study Guide

Data diodes are specialized network devices designed to enforce one-way communication between two networks, thereby enhancing cybersecurity and protecting critical infrastructure. Their unique feature is their ability to facilitate one-way information transfer, meaning they allow data to flow in only one direction while preventing any information from coming back. This capability is particularly important in perimeter defense strategies, where sensitive systems must be shielded from potential external threats or intrusions.

By ensuring that data can only exit a secure network (such as a control system) without any possibility of incoming traffic, data diodes help mitigate risks associated with cyber attacks or data breaches and maintain the integrity of the protected systems. This feature is essential for operational technology environments where safeguarding critical data and system functionality is a top priority.

Other options, such as supporting two-way information transfer or connecting networks of the same security level, do not accurately describe a data diode's primary function. Additionally, while some network devices may allow for data storage, data diodes themselves are specifically focused on secure and controlled data transfer, rather than storage capabilities.