The National Security Agency has approved the Sectera Viper Universal Secure Phone by General Dynamics for top secret communications. Certified for use over Public Switched Telephone Networks, the phone replaces Secure Telephone Units (STU-III), which are no longer in production, or aging Secure.
General Dynamics Awarded NSA Contract to Add Switched Network Compatibility to the Sectéra® vIPerT Universal Secure Phone
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – General Dynamics C4 Systems has been awarded a $2.8 million contract by the National Security Agency (NSA) to add a new Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) feature to the Sectéra® vIPer™ Universal Secure Phone. The new feature, called “PSTN Connect,” will enable the vIPer Phone to connect with traditional telephone networks, enabling users of secure desktop phones to use one secure phone on either PSTN or VoIP networks. The vIPer Phone currently operates on Internet Protocol (IP) networks.
“The idea behind PSTN Connect is to provide users with a flexibility they don’t have today. For example, the vIPer Universal Secure Phone will appeal to those whose installations currently use the PSTN network, but who plan to migrate to voice over IP; users who currently have voice over IP networks; and others who plan to stay with traditional PSTN,” said John Cole, vice president of Information Assurance for General Dynamics C4 Systems. “It’s about protecting our customers’ investments by providing a product that will accommodate evolving communications technologies.”
Introduced in 2006, the Sectéra vIPer Phone remains the only voice over IP phone certified by the NSA to protect information classified Top Secret and below over commercial networks. The vIPer Universal Secure Phone, with PSTN Connect, will be submitted for NSA certification testing in the third-quarter of 2008. The vIPer, with PSTN Connect, upon successfully completing certification testing, will provide secure phone users with a cost effective solution for replacing legacy secure phones, including the Secure Telephone Unit (STU-III).
General Dynamics C4 Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), is a leading integrator of secure communication and information systems and technology. The company specializes in command and control, communications networking, space systems, computing and information assurance for defense, government and select commercial customers in the United States and abroad.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 84,600 people worldwide and anticipates 2008 revenues of approximately $29.5 billion. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about the company is available on the Internet at www.generaldynamics.com.
August 7, 2008
Contact: Fran Jacques
Tel: (480) 441-2885
Email: Fran.Jacques@gdc4s.com
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
Secure Voice over IP (SVoIP) vs.Voice over Secure IP (VoSIP) InstallationsFrequently Asked Questions Sectéra® vIPer™ Universal Secure PhoneQ: What is the difference between Secure Voice over IP (SVoIP) and Voice over Secure IP (VoSIP) technologies?A: Voice over IP is the technology used to transmit voice over the VoIP network. Voice over Secure IP (VoSIP) iscommunication over a data network using Internet Pro- the same as SVoIP in that they are technologies used totocol. Examples of a data network could be the Internet, securely transmit voice communications, but with VoSIP,corporate intranet or a managed network. Many house- the security is provided by separate devices in the net-holds as well as organizations are migrating to VoIP as work (such as network encryptors) rather than the secureopposed to the traditional telephone lines for several phones themselves. Note that the information is onlyreasons, primarily - cost savings and simplified network secured once it passes through the encryption device — itand user management. Secure Voice over IP (SVoIP) is is unsecure when being transmitted between each phonewhen secure phones are used to protect information sent and its network encryptor.
Q: Is a VoSIP network more secure than SVoIP for voice communications?A: VoSIP is not more secure than SVoIP when using regu- itself. This means that the information or conversation islar commercial phones. The reason is that the information encrypted as it’s processed and is secure all the way totransmitted from the commercial phone to the encryptor the receiving Sectéra vIPer Phone (or other government-is not protected. If you are using a Sectéra® vIPer™ Phone, approved secure phone) — this is called “end-to-end” secu-it doesn’t matter what network you are on (commercial rity. You need end-to-end security to be the most secure.or secured) because the security is built into the phone This is illustrated in the picture below:Benefits of Sectéra vIPer over VoSIPQ: Is interoperability the same with either SVoIP or VoSIP? ensures the devices can securely “talk” to each other. Com- mercial IP phones do not comply with SCIP and thereforeA: There is a difference between SVoIP and VoSIP in terms cannot securely “talk” with SCIP-compliant devices - evenof interoperability. Many people think that because their net- though they may be on a secure network. With Sectérawork is secure, they can use regular commercial IP phones. vIPer, you can securely communicate with other SCIPIf you choose to use regular commercial IP phones instead devices such as the Sectéra Wireline Terminal, Sectéra GSMof the Sectéra vIPer Phones, you will not be able to securely Wireless Phone, Sectéra Edge™ Smartphone, the STE andinteroperate/communicate with other government approved Omni. This is illustrated in the diagram below:devices. Government secure phones adhere to the SecureCommunications Interoperability Protocol (SCIP), whichBenefits of Sectéra vIPer over VoSIP
Q: Can I still communicate with phones on different networks?A: The Sectéra vIPer Phone can be used for both secure phones. A VoSIP network utilizing commercial IP phonesand non-secure communications. This means that when does not allow this flexibility since the phones can onlyon a regular VoIP network, the Sectéra vIPer can place communicate at the security level of the network. This isclear calls to other VoIP phones as well as analog/PSTN illustrated in the diagram below:Benefits of Sectéra vIPer over VoSIPQ: With SVoIP or VoSIP, can I communicate at multiple security levels?A: A VoSIP network utilizing commercial IP phones Phone provides end-to-end security for Top Secret, Secretrestricts communication to the security level of the net- or even unclassified communications. The security levelwork. If your network is Secret, you can only communicate is determined by the user, not the network. Having oneat the Secret level. The Sectéra vIPer Phone is the only phone that can be used for both classified and unclassifiedVoIP phone with integrated security certified to protect communication provides more flexibility and eliminatesinformation classified Top Secret /SCI and below over the need for multiple desktop phones. This is illustrated incommercial or unprotected IP networks. The Sectéra vIPer the diagram below:Benefits of Sectéra vIPer over VoSIP
Secure Cell Phone
Viper Phone Secure
SVoIP vs. VoSIP Installations FAQQ: Even though the Sectéra vIPer Phone provides end-to-end security, is there any benefit to using it on my VoSIP network?A: Yes! There are several benefits of using a Sectéra vIPer enables users to securely transfer data such as key mate-Phone on a VoSIP network: rial or secure faxes over the network (Top Secret/SCI and below).1. With the Sectéra vIPer Phone, you are not restricted tocommunication at the level designated by the network. For 3. Data restricted to U.S.-only can be transmitted over aexample, if you are on a Secret network, using the Sectéra coalition network using the Sectéra vIPer Phone.vIPer Phone enables you to enhance the security and trans-mit voice and data classified Top Secret/SCI and below. 4. Sectéra vIPer enables communication with other VoIP phones at the network classification level, as well as with2. The secure data feature of the Sectéra vIPer Phone other Sectéra vIPer Phones up to the Top Secret/SCI level.Benefits of Sectéra vIPer on a VoSIP NetworkSummaryA major advantage of using the Sectéra vIPer Phone is flexibility. The Sectéra vIPer Phone can be used:On multiple networks (commercial VoIP networks, VoSIP networks and even analog/PSTN networks)For classified and unclassified communicationsTo secure both voice and data transmissionsTo communicate/interoperate with other secure (SCIP) devicesFor more information, please contact our INFOSECTeam D-SVOIPFAQ-1-0610INFOSEC 77 A Street, Needham, MA 02494-2806 USA • www.gdc4s.com/secureproductsPhone: 781-455-2800 •Toll-free: 888-Type1-4-U (888-897-3148) • Fax: 781-455-5555 • E-mail: infosec@gdc4s.com© 2010 General Dynamics. Sectéra, vIPer and Edge are trademarks of General Dynamics. All rights reserved. General Dynamics reservesthe right to make changes in its products and specifications at anytime and without notice. ® Reg. U.S. Pat. and Tm. Off.