Black Box Network Services : 2011 : March

New Black Box ServSwitch KVM Switches Deliver Military-Grade Security to Combat Data Leakage and Electronic Snooping

Posted by diane.magin@blackbox.com Mar 23, 2011

New Black Box ServSwitch KVM Switches Deliver Military-Grade Security to Combat Data Leakage and Electronic Snooping

EAL4+ and TEMPEST certifications ensure superior hardware-based, port-to-port signal isolation; tamper-resistant casing and certificate authentication protocol protect against physical infiltration.

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, January 26, 2011 — Black Box Corporation (NASDAQ:BBOX), an industry-leading provider of voice communications, data infrastructure, and networking products, today debuted its new range of ServSwitch™ Secure KVM switches featuring military-grade security to combat data leakage across internal ports and to the outside world, protecting sensitive data and preventing electronic snooping.

Available in two- and four-port desktop models for both DVI and VGA, the ServSwitch Secure KVM Switch with USB provides control and separation of two to four PCs connected to both secure and non-secure networks through a single keyboard, mouse, and monitor. Also, two of the VGA models support keyboards with integrated CAC (Common Access Card) readers, which is unique among KVM switches of this type, meeting Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) requirements.

The ServSwitch Secure KVM Switch with USB uses Black Box’s exclusive hardware-based data isolation to ensure unidirectional data flow with hardware data diodes to provide robust security against port-to-port data leakage. Channel-to-channel crosstalk isolation greater than 80-dB virtually eliminates cross-port signal sniffing.

“Other solutions on the market use software-based data isolation technology, which introduces the risk of hacking or malware threats,” said Mike McCurry, ServSwitch Product Manager at Black Box. “Our hardware-based technology eliminates the risk of both intentional and unintentional software corruption that might expose sensitive data.”

Every ServSwitch Secure KVM Switch with USB unit provides high-level, military-grade security, but the switches are also ideal for any private-sector business with extremely sensitive intellectual property or proprietary data security needs, such as those in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, or financial services industries.

The two DVI models are designed, engineered, manufactured, and shipped pursuant to the international Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level 4 (augmented by ALC_FLR.2 and ATE_DPT.2), and the four VGA models meet both the Evaluation Assurance Level 4 (augmented by ALC_FLR.2 and ATE_DPT.2) and TEMPEST USA NSTISSAM Level I and NATO SDIP-27 Level A performance.

Fail-safe physical security.

In addition to operational security, each ServSwitch Secure KVM Switch with USB unit also comes standard with fail-safe physical security features, including tamper-evident tape on the casing that reveals a broken seal, as well as automatic disabling of the unit in the event of a breach in the physical casing. The carefully shielded metal case features dual shielding in critical areas and a low-emissions profile to subvert data snooping through electromagnetic radiation detection.

Each port is independently powered by its own USB connection, eliminating the risk of shorting or overloading the power supply on one port to access the others. In addition, the ServSwitch Secure KVM Switch with USB does not support connections to sensitive analog inputs, including computer microphones, for enhanced crosstalk-leak protection.

Exclusive firmware authentication protocol.

As an added security feature, only Black Box provides a validation function to check the authenticity of the device on demand. If a breach is suspected, Black Box will immediately provide an authentication certificate under secure, separate cover to enable users to validate the security posture of the device with the use of the front-panel LED indicators. The protocol is provided only upon request and under separate cover (not shipped with the device) to prevent a rogue element from mimicking the sequence to give the appearance of security.

The ServSwitch Secure KVM Switch with USB also comes with free, 24/7 technical support for the life of the unit, and it is backed by Black Box’s two-year warranty.

Black Box currently has a small number of devices available for evaluation purposes. To learn more about how to get an evaluation unit or to see how the ServSwitch Secure KVM Switch with USB can best be used in a particular high-security application, contact Black Box at 1-724-873-6556 or learn more at blackbox.com/go/ServSwitchSecure.

About Black Box

Black Box is a leading technical services company dedicated to designing, building, and maintaining today’s complicated data and voice infrastructure systems. Black Box services more than 175,000 clients in 141 countries with 196 offices throughout the world. To learn more, visit the Black Box Web site at http://www.blackbox.com.

Black Box® and the Double Diamond logo are registered trademarks, and ServSwitch is a trademark, of BB Technologies, Inc. Any other third-party trademarks appearing in this press release are acknowledged to be the property of their respective owners.

Contact: Black Box Corporation
Gary Doyle
Director – Investor Relations
Phone: 724-873-6788
E-mail: investors@blackbox.com

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Power over Ethernet Solutions from BBOX!

Posted by diane.magin@blackbox.com Mar 23, 2011

Encourage our customers to take full advantage of the IT industry’s best resources! For white papers, industry news, and of course, a list of our extensive PoE products, visit www.blackbox.com/go/poe.

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Win the Reseller Battle - Weapon #4

Posted by diane.magin@blackbox.com Mar 14, 2011

Here's the fourth weapon in your 10-part reseller arsenal:

Education solutions for the K-12 budgeting season in progress now!

Show your K-12 customers how they can:

- Improve communications and emergency notification at their schools.

- Raise academic performance with smarter classroom technology.

- Increase the range of their network without running new cables.

- Safeguard studnets and staff from accessing inappropriate Web content.

- Cut IT power consumption up to 25% and prevent outages.

- Product expensive data equipment from high temperatures and theft.

- Save on cabling costs and labor when extending an ethernet network.

Get started:
VirtuaCore™ Computer Sharing
Turns one CPU into two or four workstations and saves money, space, and energy. Ideal in classrooms and education settings where cost savings are vital. Hardware savings up to 60%; energy savings up to 60%.

Economy Laptop Carts
The most economical way to transport and store up to 16 laptops. Perfect for classrooms—just roll from room to room. Guaranteed for life!

Enterprise Wireless
SmartPath delivers enterprise-class wireless at half the cost of comparable solutions. Help your education customers get the wireless infrastructure they need.

Wireless Video Presentation System
Transforms a wired projector into a high-end wireless one—and streams from a PDA. Features Plug & Show setup, 4-to-1 split screen display, simple conference control, and support for PDA wireless projection.

iCOMPEL™ Digital Signage
No other medium makes it possible to deliver compelling content at the right location at the right time for maximum impact. Schools can use to inform and notify students in their buildings and on their campuses, whether for event promotion, disseminating important up-to-date information, or broadcasting emergency alerts.

344 Views 0 Comments Permalink Tags: cable, education, networking, black_box, digital_signage, kvm, network_access_security, network_security

Replacing Wired Networks at an Enterprise Level

Posted by diane.magin@blackbox.com Mar 9, 2011

Last week, USA Today posted an article discussing the increase of tablet computers in the business world. This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Tablet computers are cheaper than laptops and can easily be carried around showrooms and offices. With fewer laptops and more space, companies are even saving money on the ever increasing, and seemingly unavoidable, checked bag fee.

What does come as a surprise is that many business execs are buying these tablet computers by the hundreds and even thousands. Often, this is without consulting their IT department. IT Techs suddenly find themselves scrambling to adjust the design and management of their company’s wireless system. Businesses return to their Wi-Fi supplier (because they have to) to purchase expensive controllers and more APs, only to do the same a few years later due to company growth. This everlasting sales cycle becomes time consuming, expensive, and not to mention, annoying.

Now there is a way to break the cycle and keep pace with company growth and industry trends while still maintaining costs. SmartPath Enterprise Wireless system is unlike ordinary wireless systems. Not only does it provide fast, seamless 802.11n throughput, SmartPath APs are considered “equals” in a wired network. With all APs as equals, there is no need for a central controller.

Each SmartPath AP has its own “brain.” It behaves as a high-end switch, sorting packets and sending them to where they’re needed—broadcasted wirelessly to a nearby laptop, passed on to another access point in a wireless mesh arrangement, or sent through the wired network to another endpoint. Because there is no controller, the system scales from two or three APs to thousands of APs—with no hidden upgrade costs.

By being completely self aware, Smartpath APs are able to track a user moving from one AP to another, so you never drop off a network. Thinking you’ll be in trouble if one stops working? They also automatically arrange a failure path with other access points.

With older 802.11a/b/g devices, faster devices would be at the mercy of slower ones. This is not the case with a SmartPath AP. Its advanced circuitry and algorithms allocate air time efficiently, enabling older devices to share the network without slowing down 802.11n connectivity.

Why it’s ideal for your industry:

- Healthcare: Doctors and nurses stay connected; improving patient care. Also track assets for more efficient delivery.

- Education: Speedy wireless allows students and staff to become more hands-on in the classroom.

- Manufacturing: Keep track of inventory wirelessly—without the nightmare of a possible controller failure.

- Hospitality: A full-featured guest management system allows you to manage who can and can’t access your network.

- Government: Robust security and policy enforcement, including firewall and NAC functionality.

Now is the time to update your wireless infrastructure. Thinking about switching to cloud? The management functionality is available as a cloud-based service or standalone appliance, which enables you to manage the entire system from a single, user-friendly GUI consol.

For more information on SmartPath Enterprise Wireless go to www.blackbox.com/go/SmartPath. Not completely convinced? Play around with one of our demo units by calling 1-877-877-2269.

Do you have any plans on upgrading??

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