Every industry handles sensitive data. However, government agency workers face more stringent information handling requirements than peers in other verticals. Their need to use secure tools and processes thus makes daily work more challenging.
The National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) is a U.S. government initiative that evaluates Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Information Technology (IT) products for conformance to the international Common Criteria. This work includes developing protection profiles, evaluation methodologies and policies that ensures achievable, repeatable and testable security requirements. U.S. government agency teams purchasing devices that are certified to meet the NIAP’s requirements know that these products have been thoroughly tested and validated to meet the U.S. government’s rigorous data security standards.
In 2019, the NIAP updated the Common Criteria Protection Profile for Peripheral Sharing Device (PSD) to v. 4.0. PSD v. 4.0-certified devices give staff new technology options, help streamline daily work and provide exceptional data security as staff work to accomplish agency missions.
Government Staff Handle Information at Different Classification Levels
Government agency staff use secure keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) switching solutions to abide by data and access controls and information handling restrictions as they access:
- Top-secret and sensitive compartmented information (SCI), which is routed over the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS)
- Classified information, which is routed over the Secure Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet)
- Non-classified information, which is routed over the Non-Classified Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNet)
KVMs Help Users Securely Use Diverse Information Types, While Protecting Their Classification Levels
Secure KVMs’ true power lie in their ability to preserve data classification levels across multiple computers as users switch among screens. That means an employee can review both secure and non-secure data at the same time, without contaminating data or needing to physically move between devices to preserve information security levels. In roles where staff are synthesizing a constant influx of content and making rapid decisions, secure KVMs literally make these jobs possible.
Secure KVM switches help staff perform critical functions and accomplish agency missions across a variety of command and control use cases, including managing state and local utilities and transportation operations, optimizing air traffic control, and overseeing physical security at facilities and sites. In addition, secure KVMs help staff perform critical internal functions, such as managing IT hardware and software, operating training, conference and briefing rooms, and performing call center duties.
Secure MultiViewers Speed Essential Government Work
With a MultiViewer KVM, users can view data from multiple computers on either a single or dual monitor. Staff can easily move from screen to screen by using a single hot key, increasing productivity and reducing work strain. Eliminating unnecessary keystrokes helps staff stay alert and focus on the right information, working more efficiently and reducing errors.
Now, for the first time, secure MultiViewers that meet PSD v. 4.0 are approved for use by government agencies, creating greater flexibility with daily work processes.
Secure MultiViewers provide workers and their agencies with the following benefits:
- Increased situational awareness with the ability to easily see, configure and consume data in a timely manner
- Greater flexibility, with multiple layout options that let users customize views to the task at hand
- Cost reduction, by eliminating the need for multiple peripherals
- Energy efficiency, by reducing peripherals, their energy consumption and associated costs
- Increased user productivity, with the ability to work in a clutter-free environment
- Time savings, since users can easily move control from one computer to another by moving the mouse
How PSD v. 4.0 Is Evolving Technology Requirements for Vendors Who Supply Government Agencies
After PSD v. 4.0 was released, technology manufacturers that made secure KVM switches needed to rapidly evolve their solutions to meet new requirements. Here’s how Vertiv responded.
Understanding PSD v. 4.0 Changes
The NIAP made multiple changes to its latest guidance, PSD v. 4.0. In 2020, Vertiv solutions were evaluated against the following mandatory and optional criteria:
Tampering: Active intrusion detection (AID) is optional. Login is only required if the switch has AID. All Vertiv™ secure KVMs have AID with the exception of our economy and MultiViewer units, increasing their security.
Audio input: Microphone use is possible, but not if combined with audio output, such as speakers. There is stricter analog filtration on audio output. Vertiv is not offering a microphone in its current secure KVM portfolio.
Keyboard mouse: USB-C is allowed, while PS/2 is prohibited. Vertiv Cybex DPHC Secure Desktop KVM Switches come with USB-C.
Video: USB-C is allowed. Mouse switching (CNS) requires a “guard key.” All of Vertiv secure KVM switches offer CNS and have a guard key.
New products: New products allowed include a CAC switch, isolator for single-port KVMs, remote switch panels (AFP) and MultiViewer. Vertiv offers the Vertiv™ Cybex™ Secure MultiViewer KVM for multiple desktop switching.
NIAP Evaluated Vertiv Solutions in First Wave of PSD 4.0 Testing
Vertiv secure solutions that have received PSD 4.0 certification include:
- Vertiv™ Cybex™ SC800 and the Cybex™ SC900 DPH and DPHC Secure Desktop KVM Switches, which enable users to switch seamlessly and securely among multiple compute resources, so that they can work efficiently and with a minimum of clutter. Users that leverage video for work such as security and counterterrorism operations can view video at up to UHD 4K at 60Hz. The secure KVMs are available in single-head and dual-head four-port and eight-port options. The latest products also have a universal port on every unit, meaning that users can mix and match the DP, HDMI or VDI-D cables they need, without having to add adaptors, creating greater flexibility.
- Vertiv™ Cybex™ Secure MultiViewer KVM Switches, which are ideal for users who need to monitor and manage multiple active computers, as they interact with both classified and non-classified data on single or dual display projections. They can view and interact with up to 16 computers on a dual screen, using features such as tiling, windowing and touch screen capabilities to streamline operations.
- Cybex™ SCM145 Secure Desktop Matrix KVM Switches, which are dual-monitor solutions with HDMI/DVI high resolution capability that enable users to switch between up to four networks by pushing a button or among two networks with Cursor Navigation Switching (CNS), by simply moving their mouse across window borders while utilizing the “guard key.” These switches are designed to protect against cyber intrusion at the desktop.
Explore Vertiv’s NIAP PSD v4.0-Certified Products
Vertiv is pleased to be among the first group of vendors certified for PSD v 4.0. A full list of vendor-compliant products may be found on the NIAP website.
If you’d like to learn more about the full capabilities of our secure solutions for government, please visit https://www.vertiv.com/en-us/campaigns/na-campaigns/federal-government-it-solutions/
