FORTRESS TECHNOLOGIES
Fortress Technologies, Luxul Wireless Team to Provide Expanded Secure Wireless Offerings to the Department of Defense
Partnership Enables Secure Communications over Military Licensed Frequencies
LANSDOWNE, Va. – Oct. 28, 2008 — Fortress Technologies, a leading provider of secure wireless solutions, today announced it has formed a strategic partnership with Luxul Wireless, a leading innovator of patented high-performance wireless signal technologies, to provide Department of Defense (DoD) customers superior secure wireless capabilities over military licensed frequencies.
Fortress’ Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) validated Secure Wireless Bridges will be combined with Luxul Shock-WAV™ Frequency Translating Amplifiers (FTAs) – enabling an alternative spectrum option by allowing the secure wireless signal to transmit over the 4.4 GHz military licensed band – and limiting interference that could negatively effect network performance. With no user adjustment, configuration, or provisioning required, the combined solution offers an efficient and reliable mode of voice, video, and data communications in deployed environments.
“Advancements within the military are requiring an expanded use of wireless technologies,” said Dana Kuntz, Vice President, Federal Sales, Fortress. “The ability to securely transmit information over military licensed bands is critical. Combining the Fortress Secure Wireless Bridge with the Luxul Shock-WAV FTA fully meets this requirement. The solution provides high bandwidth voice, video, and data functionality up to 35 miles.”
The Fortress Secure Wireless Bridge is an “all-in-one” network access device that combines the features of a wireless access point, bridge, Ethernet switch, and FIPS 140-2 validated security in a small, rugged, weatherized form factor. The Luxul Shock-WAV FTA converts commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) 5 GHz Wireless LAN technologies to the secured 4.4 GHz military licensed band by using its bi-directional frequency translator and amplifier. The combination of these solutions provides:
* Compliance with DoD policies, including FIPS 140-2 validated security
* Support for military licensed frequencies, which avoid interference from unlicensed equipment and limit negative effects on network performance
* Industry leading RF range, tested up to 35 miles
* High bandwidth for voice, video, and data applications
* Rugged outdoor solution for harsh environments
“Luxul has taken its high-performance Clear-WAV wireless technology and designed a solution that leverages COTS to meet specific rugged and mobile requirements for the DoD,” said Tyler Crawford, Luxul President and CEO. “This partnership with Fortress provides our military customers an expanded wireless solution with built-in security that complies with stringent government standards. We are excited about this opportunity and look forward to implementing the solution in multiple mission-critical environments.”
About Fortress Technologies
Fortress Technologies designs, develops and manufactures products that allow our customers to deploy secure wireless networks that comply with stringent government policies. Fortress provides industry-leading security and wireless technologies that extend the reach of networks, bringing applications and information to those who need it, when and where they need it. Fortress enables immediate “on demand” secure voice, video and data communications virtually anywhere and across all wired or wireless transports including Wi-Fi (802.11), WiMAX (802.16), free space optics (FSO) and Military RF. Fortress products are currently deployed in some of the world’s most demanding environments, supporting vital operations that include deployable communications, disaster recovery and continuity of operations (DR COOP), perimeter and border security, outdoor wireless networks, wireless sensor networks, wireless video surveillance and vehicle networks.
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Fortress Technologies Receives Certification from U.S. Navy SPAWAR Integrated Test Facility
Documentation Validates Company’s Compliance with Stringent Security Policies to Support Fixed-Based, Tactical Wireless Deployments
LANSDOWNE, Va. – July 29, 2008 — Fortress Technologies, a leading provider of secure wireless solutions, today announced that two of its leading products have been certified by the U.S. Navy’s Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Center Integrated Test Facility (ITF), and included in the Preferred Product/System/Subsystem Interface/Certified Product List (PPL/SSIL/CPL). Fortress’ Secure Wireless Bridge and Security Controller met all testing requirements to pass the Navy’s stringent certification process.
“This certification means that Fortress is meeting key security and operational requirements for the implementation of wireless devices connecting to Navy local and/or wide-area networks (LAN/WAN) afloat and ashore,” said Janet Kumpu, President, Fortress. “Fortress’ robust secure wireless solutions have been chosen to protect some of the largest fixed-based and tactical wireless deployments, including more than 7,500 wireless LANs accessed by 80,000 military personnel serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. This accreditation continues to affirm our commitment to meeting the wireless network security requirements of the defense community.”
In 2005, the Commander, Naval Network Warfare Command designated the SPAWAR ITF to ensure network configuration management through an integrated certification process. The SPAWAR certification enables the Navy to take advantage of Fortress’ secure wireless solutions on any platform, in combined wireless and wired networks. The inclusion of Suite B security algorithms extends the potential use of the Fortress solution up to and including Secret information, as demonstrated during Trident Warrior ’08.
“Fortress’ accredited products allow defense and government entities to take advantage of real-time sharing of critical information and applications to the edge of the network, enabling improved situational awareness and force protection,” said Kumpu. “Our secure wireless solutions are compliant with several other government standards from agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Army, and U.S. Air Force. We are excited to add the Navy to our growing list of certifications.”
The Fortress Secure Wireless Bridge is an “all-in-one” Suite B-enabled network access device that combines the features of a wireless access point, bridge, Ethernet switch, and high assurance FIPS 140-2 validated security in a small, rugged, weatherized form factor. Fortress Security Controllers provide complete security regardless of existing network infrastructure. Fortress’ PPL/SSIL/CPL (PSC) certification number is PSC-2008-00044.
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Fortress Technologies Teams with Telos Corporation on Defense Manpower Data Center Identity Protection Program
Company Enables Secure Wireless Communications at U.S. Military Checkpoints Worldwide
Tampa, Fla., July 15, 2008 — Fortress Technologies, a leading provider of secure wireless solutions, today announced it has been selected as part of the Telos Corporation team to support the implementation of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) identity protection and management programs. The contract, awarded to Telos, runs for one year with four, one-year options and has a potential value of $582 million, if all options are exercised.
As part of the contract, Fortress will provide its Fortress Secure Wireless Bridges, which will enable a secure wireless link between handheld devices and a DMDC database. The handheld devices will be used at U.S. military checkpoints worldwide to scan Common Access Cards (CACs) – the standard identification card for active duty military personnel, selected reserve, DoD civilian employees, and eligible contractor personnel and other ID cards – providing real-time authorization.
“DMDC maintains an archive of personnel, manpower, training, security, and financial data for more than 28 million individuals currently and previously connected to the DoD,” said Dana Kuntz, Vice President, Federal Sales, Fortress. “Enabling guards at military installation entrances to have real-time identity management access via CAC information, directly to the DMDC database, is critical to ensuring the security of these bases. We are proud to have been selected by Telos to assist with this capability.”
Fortress Secure Wireless Bridges will be installed at select checkpoints and will transmit the scanned CAC information to the DMDC database for access. As an “all-in-one” network access device, Fortress Secure Wireless Bridges combine the features of a wireless access point, bridge, Ethernet switch, and high assurance Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 validated security in a small, rugged, weatherized form factor – enabling secure voice, video, and data communications in deployable environments.
“Supporting DMDC for more than 12 years, Telos’ past performance is a clear reason for our longevity,” said Mark Griffin, president of Telos affiliate, Telos Identity Management Solutions (TIMS), LLC, who will perform the project integration. “Telos has worked successfully with Fortress on a number of other DoD-related programs and we are confident that this project will mirror our partnership’s successful track record. We look forward to initiating work.”
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Fortress Technologies to Provide Secure Wireless Communications for South Carolina National Guard Mobile Response Teams
Company Enables Secure Voice, Video, and Data Transmissions during Emergency Response Situations
Tampa, Fla., June 04, 2008 — Fortress Technologies, a leading provider of secure wireless solutions, today announced that it is integrating its Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) certified secure wireless solutions into the South Carolina National Guard’s Mobile Response Teams (MRTs) – providing communications for the National Guard Task Forces responsible for responding to any emergency. Working with the 43rd Civil Support Team (43rd CST), these MRTs will deploy Fortress Secure Wireless Bridges as part of their wireless solution. MRTs will enable the National Guard to better prepare, act, and respond during times of emergency.
“It is well documented that the current communications infrastructure is not always available during major disasters – both natural and man-made,” said COL Debra Rose, J-6 for South Carolina. “The goal of this program is to be able to provide voice, video, and data interactions between first responders at an incident site and coordinating locations such as state emergency operations centers. We are in theory developing a National Guard “Hot Spot” for first responders and others.”
As part of the program, Fortress Secure Wireless Bridges will be installed at armories throughout South Carolina, delivering highly reliable wireless communications with required FIPS security. Leveraging one of the most advanced and reliable mobile communications units available –– the Incident Commander's Command, Control, and Communication System (IC4U™) from Information Processing Systems of San Carlos, California –– MRTs will be able to connect to the Fortress Secure Wireless Bridges, enabling voice, video, and data capabilities during emergency response or disaster recovery situations. The project will allow all responding units to use wireless communications – while in the vicinity of a wireless equipped armory – in a completely secure environment.
Having previously deployed the National Guard’s prototype Joint Incident Site Communications Capability (JISCC) in support of hurricane relief efforts in Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, David McNamee, the former Director of Information Management (DOIM) for South Carolina and the first Officer in Charge (OIC) of the JISCC, highly recommends the Fortress Solution. “I have used Fortress products for several years and have been very pleased with their performance and reliability,” said McNamee. McNamee will lead the MRT implementation.
“Government agencies are required to use validated secure wireless solutions for any implementation,” said Dana Kuntz, Vice President, Federal Sales, Fortress. “Fortress delivers robust wireless communications with uncompromising security to ensure support of our customer’s missions. We supplied certified secure wireless solutions for the JISCC systems and now support the South Carolina’s MRTs. We have extensive past performance in supporting National Guard and other military wireless implementations and are pleased to have been selected as the secure wireless provider on this project.”
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Fortress Technologies to Demonstrate “Suite B” Enabled Network during U.S. Navy’s Trident Warrior ‘08 Exercise
Solution to Support Coalition Maritime Secure Wireless Communications
Tampa, Fla. – June 3, 2008 – Fortress Technologies, a leading provider of secure wireless solutions, today announced that it has been selected to demonstrate a National Security Agency (NSA) Suite B cryptography enabled wireless network during the Trident Warrior ‘08 exercise. Known as the Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) Coalition Suite B Enabled Network (MCSBEN), this solution will enable the sharing/coordinating of Secret-level information via an encryption tunnel that is compatible with pre-existing wireless communications systems.
“While at sea, it is essential for the U.S. military and its Coalition partners to share sensitive information efficiently in a secure environment,” said Robert Leone, Trident Warrior Chief Engineer. “Our ability to plan and coordinate over multiple domains in a timely matter is a priority. MCSBEN will serve as a major step in the right direction.”
Trident Warrior is a major annual FORCEnet Sea Trial exercise sponsored by the U.S. Navy. Taking place June 2008, Trident Warrior ‘08 will have 41 Commands participating, as well as ships from the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
As part of this exercise, MCSBEN will utilize both Suite B enabled Fortress Secure Wireless Bridges and Fortress Security Controllers to create an encryption tunnel over an existing 802.11 communication link. Connecting a Host Vessel, a Vessel of Interest, and an on-land central command post, MCSBEN will provide voice, video, and data capabilities that meet stringent Department of Defense (DoD) requirements for the transmission of Secret information.
“Suite B security products implement a set of cryptographic algorithms defined by the NSA to provide standard, interoperable security for protecting Secret, Top Secret, and sensitive but unclassified (SBU) information,” said Patrick Guerin, Information Systems Security Engineer, Key Management Systems, Inc., a Fortress partner on the MCSBEN solution. “Additionally, Suite B provides an accredited, affordable, and easy-to-use alternative to heavily restricted Type 1 products currently used to meet U.S. government security requirements. This exercise is critical to realizing Suite B capabilities in an operational environment.”
Fortress Secure Wireless Bridges are all-in-one network access devices with Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 validated security. Fortress Secure Wireless Bridges are ideally suited to work as self-contained networks combining the functions of a wireless access point, bridge, Ethernet switch, and security gateway in a form factor engineered specifically for harsh outdoor environments.
“Suite B offers a number of benefits over other security standards,” said Dana Kuntz, Vice President, Federal Sales, Fortress. “It is the future of DoD security and Fortress is leading the way. We are excited to be working on MCSBEN and look forward to showcasing its successful deployment during Trident Warrior ‘08.”
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