NSA Certifies ViaSat Security-System-on-a-Chip For Combat Networking

US National Security Agency (NSA) has certified its KOV-55 Security-System-on-a-Chip to secure voice and data up to the Top Secret level for Multifunctional Information Distribution System Low-Volume Terminals (MIDS LVT) operating over a Link 16 network.

This is the first certification of its kind, paving the way for Link 16 crypto modernization to enable secure interoperability with legacy and future combat networking waveforms, the company announced today.

The NSA certification effort was completed on-schedule under ViaSat's contract with the US Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command's (SPAWAR) MIDS Program Office, which includes the design, development and production of approximately 10,000 units.

The KOV-55 is in compliance with NSA's Policy 3-9, Cryptographic Modernization Initiative and is based on ViaSat's PSIAM cryptographic architecture.

"ViaSat's programmable Security-System-on-a-Chip delivers more than just a crypto engine, it provides an entire cryptographic system that includes key management, memory, power conditioning, IP optimization, zeroization, trusted bypass and control," said Jerry Goodwin, vice president, Secure Networking Systems, ViaSat.

"Even with complex multi-channel, multi-security-level radio networks, the ViaSat PSIAM architecture can provide a cost-effective approach to quickly meet NSA crypto modernization requirements." Goodwin added.

MIDS LVTs provide secure, high capacity, jam resistant, digital data and voice communications for US Navy, Marines Corps, Army and foreign tactical aircraft, ship and ground-based air control personnel.

The KOV-55 was developed to support crypto modernization for both ViaSat and other qualified US vendors' MIDS LVT products.