Prototyping to explore MLS/DBMS design

This paper examines protoryping as a rcscarch tool for studying multilcvcl secure databases (MLS/DBMS). The paper proposes that an MLS/DSMS design can be quickly prototypcd in Prolog. The prototype is then used as a research tool to expcritnent with the policies and models of the MLVDBMS. To illustrate the principle, we built a Prolog prototype based on the dell and LaPadula model. This prototype emphasizes a modular security policy to encourage reuse for other security tncchanisnx. The prototype also supports an inference control mechanism. It has proved to be a useful research tool for studying MLS/DBMS policies aud models. Furthertnorc, since a prototype using Prolog can be built very quickly, WC suggest that future MLS/DRMS models be prototyped and studied before costly mistakes are incurred in a full-scale implcnicntation.