Aten CS1184D [12/45] Chapter 1

ATEN Secure KVM User Manual

Chapter 1

Introduction

Overview

The ATEN Secure KVM Switch series is NIAP-certified and compliant with NIAP PP 3.0 (Protection

Profile for Peripheral Sharing Switch version 3.0) requirements, satisfying the latest security requisites

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

information security while sharing a single set of HIDs (keyboards, mouse, speakers, and CAC Reader)

between multiple computers. Conformity with Protection Profile v3.0 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 includes restricted USB connectivity –

non-HIDs (Human Interface Devices) 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 gives 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 3.0 for

Peripheral Sharing Switch (PSS).