Collaboration between Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, and PacStar enables ground-breaking tactical IPsec VPN and Firewall capabilities for specialized cyber-security solutions
Portland, OR — June 8, 2017 – PacStar®, a leading developer and supplier of advanced communications solutions for defense, commercial, and industrial markets, today announced that PacStar 451 with Aruba VMC-TACT has been approved by the National Security Agency (NSA) as a certified component for use in the NSA CSfC (Commercial Solutions for Classified) program.
This newly certified PacStar/Aruba tactical solution enhances DoD units’ ability to securely transmit classified information over wireless networks that warfighters rely on for in-theater operations. The certification required rigorous testing to qualify PacStar’s 451 small tactical server installed with Aruba’s leading-edge virtualized VPN/Firewall for use in the NSA’s CSfC program. The goal of the CSfC program is to replace the need for classified encryption devices with commercial encryption software to securely transmit classified information up to top-secret. The PacStar 451 with Aruba VMC-TACT may be deployed in a variety of settings including as a remote access network node, in wireless command posts, or in vehicle-mounted networking-on-the-move solutions.
NSA CSfC certification of the combined PacStar 451 and Aruba VMC provides dramatically improved capabilities for tactical and mobile organizations including:
- Ability to create wired and wireless tactical networks used to transmit classified information, using commercial technologies.
- Ability to interoperate on missions with coalition partners, without having to provide classified equipment to those partners.
- Ability to transmit classified mission information to end-user devices such as wireless laptops and cellular phones, without additional, classified hardware add-ons to the end devices.
- Ability to combine PacStar 451 with Aruba VMC and other PacStar 400-Series communications modules to create complete networking-in-the-field solutions with a bare minimum of Size, Weight and Power (SWaP).
When combined with NSA-required additional equipment also available from PacStar, PacStar 451 with Aruba VMC enables wireless and wired transport of classified information over LAN, WLAN and WAN links. Such suites of CSfC equipment may also be optionally managed by PacStar IQ-Core® Crypto Manager, substantially easing the setup, configuration and monitoring of CSfC solutions. PacStar 451 is also able to host other compelling Aruba technologies that complement the Aruba VMC software, including ClearPass and AirWave, enabling customers to deploy complete secure wireless and wired infrastructure on a common platform.
“Our customers are thrilled with Aruba VMC’s ability to provide CSfC-compliant VPN and firewall capabilities, along with best-in-class enterprise security and manageability,” stated Peggy Miller, PacStar chief executive officer.
“PacStar’s ability to deliver Aruba VMC and other Aruba technologies in a tactical form factor, combined with their extensive suite of tactical hardware and software solutions enables us to deliver our enterprise technology to the very edge of the tactical network,” said Jon Green, Federal CTO, Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company.
About PacStar
Pacific Star Communications, Inc. (PacStar®) is a leading technology-based systems integrator that delivers advanced, reliable and interoperable tactical and enterprise communications systems to the military, federal, state and local government agencies, as well as emergency responders. The company’s patented IQ-Core® Software and hardware technology and integration/installation services provide secure, command, control and communications systems – particularly in remote or infrastructure starved areas. In addition, PacStar’s unified and tactical network communications systems are ideally suited for commercial sector organizations with mission-critical, complex communications requirements.