DOD PKI, SIPRNet Security and Information Assurance

Anthony Bonaventura
March 11, 2013

DoD Public-Key Infrastructure (PKI) is a critical enabling technology for Information Assurance. PKI supports the secure transmission of information across both Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Networks (NIPRNET) and Secure Internet Protocol Networks (SIPRNET), as well as securing local data storage. It is made up of commercial grade hardware and software solutions, and applications developed by the National Security Agency (NSA). 

The DoD PKI will enable the Department of Defense and other authorized users to enable network-centric operations to securely access, process, store, transport and use information, applications, and networks regardless of technology, division, or geographic location. 

As testing and deployment plans for the new PKI SIPRNet token continue, the requirement for system administrators to adopt and use PKI to access classified systems in the data center quickly becomes a reality, and a significant challenge. 

A proven solution to access these classified systems would be a KVM switch with an approved SIPRNet Card Reader. This KVM solution would not only allow the different divisions in the DOD to become compliant with the new PKI directive, but it will also allow users to securely locate, access and control remote systems.