Aten CS1144DP4C [12/46] Chapter 1

ATEN Secure KVM User Manual

Chapter 1

Introduction

Overview

The ATEN Secure KVM Switch series is NIAP

-certified and compliant with NIAP PPv4.0 (Protection

Profile for Peripheral Sharing Device version 4.0)

requirements, satisfying the latest security requisites

set by the U.S. Department of Defense for peripheral sharing devices. Compliance ensures maximum

information security while sharing a single set of keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, and CAC

(Common Access Card) Reader

between multiple computers. Conformity with Protection Profile v4.0

certifies that other USB peripherals cannot be connected to the console ports of the Secure KVM

Switch, and that only a keyboard and mouse are accommodated, therefore providing high-level security,

protection and safekeeping of data.

The ATEN Secure KVM Switch hardware security includes tamper-evident tape, chassis intrusion

detection, and tamper-proof hardware, while software security features include restricted USB

connectivity – non-HIDs (Human Interface Devices) or non-predefined CAC/HIDs are ignored when

switching, an isolated channel per port that makes it impossible for data to be transferred between

secure and unsecure computers, and automatic clearing of the keyboard and mouse buffer when

switching port focus.

By combining physical security with controlled USB connectivity and controlled unidirectional data

flow from devices to connected computers only, the ATEN Secure KVM Switch series offers you the

means to consolidate multiple workstations of various security classification levels with one keyboard,

monitor and mouse (KVM) console.

Note:

1. The National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) is a United States government initiative to

meet the security testing needs of IT consumers and manufacturers. It is operated by the National

Security Agency (NSA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

2. The ATEN Secure KVM Switch series additionally satisfies Protection Profile version 4.0 for

Peripheral Sharing Device (PSD).

3. USB 1.1 for keyboard, mouse connections, and USB 2.0 for CAC reader connection.