NSA certifies ViaSat’s KOV-55

The National Security Agency (NSA) has certified ViaSat’s KOV-55 Security-System-on-a-Chip to secure data and voice up to the Top Secret level for Multifunctional Information Distribution System Low-Volume Terminals (MIDS LVT) operating on a Link 16 network, the company announced on 24 August.

The NSA certification paves the ways for Link 16 cryptographic modernisation to facilitate secure interoperability with legacy and future combat networking waveforms.

The certification was completed under ViaSat’s contract with the US Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command's (SPAWAR) MIDS programme office. The contract includes the production, development and design of around 10,000 units.

The KOV-55 is based on the company’s PSIAM cryptographic architecture and complies with NSA's Policy 3-9, cryptographic modernisation Initiative. ViaSat developed KOV-55 to support crypto modernisation for both its own and other qualified US vendors' MIDS LVT products.

MIDS LVTs provide jam-resistant, high capacity, secure, digital data and voice communications for tactical ships, aircraft and ground-based air control personnel.

Jerry Goodwin, vice president, secure networking systems, ViaSat, said: ‘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 optimisation, zeroisation, trusted bypass and control.

‘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 modernisation requirements.’