Trellix Achieves IL5 Certification: Elevating Security for Government and Beyond

By Karan Sondhi · January 23, 2025

Trellix Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) achieved Impact Level 5 (IL5) High Provisional Authorization (PA) from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). This milestone validates the platform's ability to protect mission-critical data on AWS GovCloud and handle the DoD's most sensitive unclassified information.

Cybersecurity in the public sector is at a critical juncture as threats targeting government systems surge. Between Q2 and Q3 of 2024, the Trellix Advanced Research Center observed a staggering 676% increase in government-targeted threats. Trellix aims to protect mission-critical systems, empowering both public and private organizations to defend against an evolving threat landscape.

What is IL5?

IL5 is a certification granted by the DoD, enabling cloud service providers (CSPs) to store and process some of the department's most sensitive controlled unclassified information (CUI), mission-critical information, and national security systems (NSS). This designation reflects the stringent security categorization required to host and manage critical data.

The importance of IL5 certification

Government systems are under siege by cyber adversaries aiming to sabotage operations or gather state-sponsored intelligence. IL5 certification represents a vital step in safeguarding these systems.

"The DoD has long recognized the benefits of versatile cloud computing and the need to implement a solid security foundation built on scalable endpoint security," said Ken Kartsen, SVP and General Manager, Public Sector, Trellix. "With Trellix EDR, the DoD has access to comprehensive and adaptive security to discover malicious activity that has evaded protection systems, from ransomware to sophisticated attackers looking to exfiltrate data or conduct espionage."

Trellix EDR reduces the mean time to detect and respond to threats, leveraging the AI-powered foundation of Trellix Wise. Trellix technology stitches together evasive adversarial tactics, enabling organizations to respond rapidly and decisively to emerging threats.

What IL5 certification means for Trellix customers

IL5 certification demonstrates Trellix's unwavering commitment to security excellence. These measures not only meet but exceed the stringent FedRAMP High requirements with additional DoD-specific controls.

By achieving IL5 certification, Trellix has proven its platform's security capabilities to one of the world's most demanding authorities, allowing commercial customers to trust its robust protection. For example, utility companies working with federal funding can adopt IL5-compliant services to safeguard against cyber attackers while ensuring compliance with government standards.

DoD's rigorous evaluation serves as a global benchmark for other industries, streamlining the vendor approval process and offering peace of mind that their data is secure.

Building on a legacy of security excellence

The IL5 certification builds on Trellix's longstanding commitment to security. The Trellix Security Platform attained FedRAMP High authorization for its GovCloud Security Platform, reinforcing its dedication to securing global governments and private sector organizations alike.

"This milestone validates our platform's ability to protect mission-critical data on AWS GovCloud and handle the DoD's most sensitive unclassified information," said Karan Sondhi, Vice President, Chief Technology Officer - Public Sector at Trellix. "Proud that our AI-powered EDR technology is helping safeguard national security systems."

With IL5 certification, Trellix reaffirms its position as a trusted partner for securing mission-critical systems, empowering both public and private organizations to defend against an evolving threat landscape. This achievement underscores that robust, scalable, and adaptive security measures are no longer optional—they are a necessity for resilience in today's interconnected world.

Take the Trellix EDR Product Tour and learn how AI-guided investigations help SOC analysts respond faster using historical, device, and real-time search insights to disrupt attackers.