Curtiss-Wright Controls Boosts Data Security on its Data Transport System (DTS) with AES256-bit encryption
ASHBURN, VA – April 25, 2013 – Curtiss-Wright Controls Defense Solutions (CWCDS), a business group of Curtiss-Wright Controls, has announced a new data security option for its Vortex Data Transport System (DTS) that provides three (3) channels of AES256-bit encryption. The AES256-bit encryption option, VS-DTS3SL-F, provides protection for critical mission and digital map data stored on the DTS’ removable memory cartridges (RMC). This encryption option addresses growing customer demand for reliable, flexible and cost-effective solutions for protection of critical data. Curtiss-Wright’s Vortex DTS conforms to the popular DZUS form factor and uses industry-standard 2.5” SATA drives enhanced with high-insertion rate cycle connectors that lower the design risk and boost reliability for removable storage in demanding defense and aerospace cockpit data loading and other mobile applications that require SWaP-optimized storage.
“Ensuring the security of critical data-at-rest is a growing concern for our defense and aerospace customers,” said Lynn Bamford, senior vice president and general manager of Curtiss-Wright Controls Defense Solutions. “With the addition of the new AES256-bit encryption option on our popular Vortex DTS system, we are able to provide these customers with an affordable and reliable solution to protect sensitive and critical data while enabling the safe and easy transport of that data in rugged, secure cartridges.”
To provide protection of valuable data stored on the Vortex DTS’ RMC cartridges, the AES256-bit keys are passed to the DTS. The VS-DTS3SL-F option provides a Vortex DTS system with three (3) independent and controllable encryption channels. Users can install a separate AES256-bit data encryption key for each of the DTS’s three (3) RMC modules The AES256-bit keys can be zeroized and the RMCs that store encrypted data can be safely transported to a ground station. At the ground station, the AES keys can be easily reloaded and the data accessed again. To simplify the encryption/decryption process, the Vortex DTS provides a unique command line interface for control over the three lanes. Designed for optimal performance in harsh military applications, the rugged Vortex DTS supports a wide operating temperature range (-40 to +71C) and high levels of shock and vibration.
The NIST-approved AES256-bit encryption algorithm supported on the Vortex DTS also utilizes a NIST approved in-line media encryptor from eNova. The Vortex-DTS is based on the NIST FIPS 140-2 approved design used on Curtiss-Wright’s Flash Storage Modules (FSM).
About the Vortex DTS
Unlike competing systems that use proprietary memory devices, the Vortex Data Transport System uniquely uses commercial off-the-shelf 2.5” SATA solid state drives. This turn-key data transport system is the newest member of Curtiss-Wright’s extensive family of Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices. Curtiss-Wright DTS systems are ruggedized as required for use in mobile vehicles, field ground stations and benign laboratories. The DTS is easily integrated into Network Centric systems providing a turn-key, rugged Network File Server. It is ideal for rugged applications that require the storage, removal and transport of critical data such as cockpit data (mission, map, maintenance), ISR, mobile applications (ground radar, ground mobile, or airborne ISR pods), heavy industrial (steel, refinery), and video/audio data collection.
Leverages Industry Standard 2.5” SATA SSDs
The DTS' RMC was uniquely designed to mitigate obsolescence and support extreme insertion cycles. Based on industry standard 2.5” SATA SSDs, the DTS' RMC leverages the industrial base enabling use
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of any widely available 2.5” SSDs. To support the long-lifecycle requirements of typical military programs, the RMC is designed for high-insertion applications with a non-proprietary 100,000 insertion cycle connector for reliable operation mission after mission.
The standard DTS supports three (3) 128GB flash memory RMCs with options for much larger disks. Each disk consumes only 2.5 watts of power and weighs only 0.7 pound (317 grams). An RMC is small enough to fit in a shirt or flight-suit pocket. Error correction, wear-leveling, and bad block management are performed to ensure data integrity. Over-provisioning sets aside 7% of the NAND flash memory. SSDs can be provided by Curtiss-Wright, or optionally, an empty RMC can be purchased and the customer’s own SSD can be used. The RMC can be easily removed from any Vortex DTS and installed into any other model of Vortex DTS to provide seamless full transfer of data between one or more networks in separate locations.
Support for Secure Data-At-Rest
The Vortex DTS is designed to support demanding military applications that require secure data-at-rest. To ensure the security of critical data, all data is passed through the DTS inline media encryption module prior to being read from or written to a removable memory cartridge (RMC). The DTS encryption capability is modular allowing options for no encryption, AES256-bit, or special designed encryption to meet program requirements. The standard DTS encryption module incorporates AES256-bit cryptographic algorithm and hardware that is NIST validated to FIPS 140-2. The encryption key can be passed to the encryption module by an outside agency or special key management concepts can be developed depending on the application.
Flexible Configurations to Meet Your Unique Requirements
Vortex Rugged Storage products are scalable; enabling system designers to tailor their DTS needs to fit their unique application. They support critical data storage in quantities ranging from multiple Gigabytes to Terabytes. These rugged storage products can be tailored to the application's specific size, weight, power and cost (SWaP-C) requirements.
Features:
• Small DZUS form factor: 3” x 5” x 6.5”
• Low weight: < 5.5 lbs
• Low power: < 35 Watts
• Four 1 GbE ports
• Industry standard protocol support – CIFS, NFS, FTP, HTTP, PXE
• Scalable storage with three (3) Removable Memory Cartridges (RMCs)
• Transportable data secured with AES256-bit encryption
Sales & Editorial Contacts
The VS-DTS3SL-F AES256-bit encryption option is available now for use with the Vortex DTS. Please contact the factory for more information.
For additional information on CWCDS please visit: www.cwcdefense.com.
For editorial information regarding Curtiss-Wright Controls Defense Solutions products or services, contact John Wranovics, public relations director, Curtiss-Wright Controls, Tel: (925) 640-6402; email. [email protected].
Sales inquiries: Please forward all Sales and reader service inquiries to Jerri-Lynne Charbonneau, Curtiss-Wright Controls Defense Solutions, Tel: (613) 254-5112; Fax: (613) 599-7777; e-mail: [email protected].
About Curtiss-Wright Controls Defense Solutions
Curtiss-Wright Controls Defense Solutions (CWCDS) is a long established technology leader in the development of rugged electronic modules and systems for defense applications. CWCDS serves as a
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technology and integration partner to its customers, providing a full range of advanced, highly engineered solutions from modular open systems approaches to fully custom optimized solutions. Our unmatched capabilities and product breadth span from industry standard based COTS modules to complete electronic subsystems. The company’s modules and systems are currently deployed in a wide range of demanding defense & aerospace applications including C4ISR systems, unmanned subsystems, mission computing, fire control, turret stabilization, and recording & storage solutions. Additionally, the company’s broad engineering capabilities combine systems, software, electrical, and mechanical design expertise with comprehensive program management and a broad range of life-cycle support services. For more information visit www.cwcdefense.com.
About Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc.
Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, Curtiss-Wright Controls is the Controls segment of Curtiss-Wright Corporation and a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced technologies for niche actuation and drive applications, integrated sensors and controls, and electronic subsystems internationally for the aerospace, defense and industrial markets. For more information, visit www.cwcontrols.com.
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