Tempest and EAL4+ Qualified Secure KVM Switches Launched

CAMBRIDGE, England, January 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Adder Launches a Range of Next Generation Secure KVM Switches With Common Criteria EAL4+ Certification and a Tempest Level I Qualified Design

Adder, the experts in connectivity solutions begin a new era in secure KVM switching. Featuring a Tempest level I (level A) qualified design and EAL4+ Common Criteria security certification, the new Adder secure switches offer an assured and highly secure way to access red and black systems from a single keyboard, mouse and display.

Designed from the ground up as a dedicated secure KVM switch, every element of the switches has been conceived to ensure data isolation and emission control. Dedicated secure KVM switches are designed for use by Governments, Military, and Defence or in any environment where a user needs to access networks that are operating at a different level of security or classification.

Modern defence, counter terrorism and government agencies are more and more reliant upon electronic systems which in turn provide an opportunity to gather counter intelligence. Electronic emissions pose a threat to secure systems as they provide a conduit by which sensitive information could leak into the wrong hands. Video cables for example can emit strongly and these emissions can be collected to display the same image elsewhere. Power sources can also conduct data back into a mains electricity supply and this in turn can be picked out using sensitive devices outside of the system's physical location. Previous generation KVM switches that do not actively combat these leakage threats may therefore pose a significant security risk.

Tempest testing was developed to ensure that sensitive equipment doesn't leak information, although the exact nature and details of the tests are not publicly available. Adder's new secure switch has been tested and qualified to the strictest Tempest standards (USA NSTISSAM Level I and NATO SDIP-27 Level A). This means that the switches are amongst the lowest leakage KVMs in the world. Alongside Tempest, the new Adder secure switches have also been certified to Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level 4 (augmented by ALC_FLR.2 and ATE_DPT.2). This EAL4+ certification is internationally recognised and provides customer confidence in the security of the product design. The switch also boasts an amazingly high level of crosstalk isolation that is greater than 80dB giving further peace of mind.

What makes this switch particularly unique is the way that it implements hardware-assured unidirectional dataflow meaning that keyboard and mouse signalling paths cannot act as a data transfer conduit between computers even if there are unknown bugs in the software (a potential weakness with other approaches). Alongside this is the concept of data islands employing revolving door techniques which keep up to four connected systems physically separate rather than relying upon software to maintain separation. Active tamper detection is also available that continuously monitors the hardware for physical attack and permanently disables the switch if it is tampered with.

Two and four port models are available together with models that support CACs (Common Access Cards).

For more details on the advanced security features of the Adder switches, please visit http://www.adder.com/uk/secure-kvm-switches.aspx

About Adder

Adder is a leading developer and thought leader in connectivity solutions. Adder's media networks, extenders and keyboard, mouse and video switch solutions enable the control and distribution of IT systems around the world. The company distributes its products in more than 60 countries through a network of distributors, resellers and OEMs. Adder has offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Shanghai and Singapore. Visit http://www.adder.com.