Avocent gets EAL4+ validation for all secure desktop switches

Avocent’s entire suite of SwitchView SC desktop switches are now validated to National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) Common Criteria EAL4+. These are the first and only switches to attain Evaluation Assurance Level 4+ validation and the first validated switches with CAC support available for government computer users who must comply with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12.

HSPD-12 mandates a common identification and access method for U.S. government employees and contractors who log into federally controlled IT systems. Level 4+, designated as EAL 4 Augmented with ALC_FLR.2, means the products include assurance requirements beyond the minimum required for EAL4, which validates that they have been methodically designed, tested and reviewed.

Security validation for the globally accepted Common Criteria is performed by the National Information Assurance Partnership. In approving the CAC support models, NIAP also raised the validation level of the entire suite of SwitchView SC secure desktop switches to EAL4+.

Avocent was the first company to receive approval for secure desktop switches in 2003 under the “Peripheral Sharing Switch for Human Interface Devices” Protection Profile created in 2000. Since that time, Avocent’s entry-level and high-end secure switches include the following features:

• Secure USB support for ensuring security and data integrity. SwitchView SC switch USB ports are engineered to recognize only human interface devices such as Common Access Card readers, keyboards and mice.
• Hardware security features, such as tamper evident tape, chassis intrusion detection and locked memory, to prevent access to internal components.
• Custom-designed encrypted internal firmware made in the U.S. that automatically clears the keyboard buffer immediately after data is transmitted through the switch so no data is ever left in the switch.
• Support for either PS/2 or USB or both.
• Audio support.
• DVI support. Each fully secure channel supports video connections that provide 2048 x 1536 video resolution for enhanced viewing of graphical materials, including maps, photos or drawings.