RE: [cti-stix] Applying data markings

For some context, there are significant users of STIX, especially within the public sector, that require finer-grained marking than what Level 1 markings provide. The whole point of having two levels of marking defined is to allow implementations that are not concerned with that finer-grained capability to implement just Level 1 markings. My guess is that support for Level 1 would be MTI with support for Level 2 (in addition to Level 1 of course) being optional.

From: cti-stix@lists.oasis-open.org [mailto:cti-stix@lists.oasis-open.org] On Behalf Of Jordan, Bret
Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2015 8:46 PM
To: Wunder, John A.
Cc: cti-stix@lists.oasis-open.org
Subject: Re: [cti-stix] Applying data markings

So I really like what you have done for Level 1 markings, and I can get behind that. A few nits/comments though:

1) you have defined marking_definitions and marking_refs. I am guessing you are using an abbreviated form of references because of the legacy "idref" field. I would prefer that we adopt a general style guide for the field names.

Options to be discussed:

a) use underscores || camel casing

b) all lower case || camel casing

c) spell words out || try to use abbreviated forms when possible

My preferences:

I prefer underscores even though the JSON uses camel casing

I personally prefer all lower case

I would prefer abbreviations when possible. So marking_defs and marking_refs (this might be hotly debated by this group)

2) EclecticIQ published a great style guide for JSON STIX when they did theirs. One thing that I did not like at first, but came to love in code was their use of a "type" field. For example:

{

"type": "six_package",

"indicators": [

{

"type": "indicator",

"id": "indicator-1234"

}

]

}

It might be good to do this in your marking objects as well. Something like "type": "marking" or something. Please the attached PDF of their email to the STIX list from long ago.

3) Can you give some examples of a Level 2 marking structure that is valid? I am still not sold on the Level 2, but am willing to work with you, so you can enlighten me.

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