FORTRESS TECHNOLOGIES
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 Successfully Demonstrates “Suite B” Capable Secure Wireless Access Bridge during U.S. Pacific Command Exercise
Talisman Saber Focuses on Crisis Action Planning, Execution of Contingency Response Operations
Tampa, Fla., Nov. 12, 2007 — Fortress Technologies, a leading provider of security and secure wireless solutions, today announced that it successfully demonstrated its implementation of National Security Agency (NSA) Suite B Cryptography capability of their ES520 Secure Wireless Access Bridge and Secure Client software during the Talisman Saber 2007 exercise. Fortress’ Suite B security products implement a set of cryptographic algorithms defined by the NSA to provide standard, interoperable security for protecting both classified and sensitive but unclassified (SBU) information*. Suite B provides a flexible, affordable and easy-to-use complement to heavily restricted Type 1 products currently used to meet U.S. government security requirements for classified information.
"NSA Suite B requirements are the next step in ensuring the advancement of security for sensitive information exchanges," said Janet Kumpu, President, Fortress. "Fortress has already incorporated the Suite B security algorithms into our security controller suite and have now successfully tested it with the ES520 and our Secure Client for Microsoft Windows®. Having one of the first solutions on the market with this capability further establishes Fortress as a leader in secure wireless for mission-critical applications."
Sponsored by the U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM), Talisman Saber is an exercise designed to train the U.S. Seventh Fleet commander’s staff and Australian joint operations staff as a designated Joint Task Force (JTF) headquarters. The exercise focuses on crisis action planning and the execution of contingency response operations through land, sea and air training. Fortress’ ES520 was used as part of an integrated combat camera system known as NOViSS (NORM-Oriented Video Streaming System) – a low-cost, high-bandwidth secure wireless video surveillance solution supporting maritime, littoral and amphibious environments. The demonstration provided an autonomous, high throughput network for voice, video and data communications. In total, USPACOM integrated 13 technologies for joint experimentation and military utility assessment during the exercise.
"Exercises like Talisman Saber are important for the defense community to proactively test technology that can be immediately integrated into their current architectures, enabling a more efficient military," said Kumpu. "The ability to respond quickly to, and successfully execute against, crisis and contingency plans is critical to saving lives. We applaud USPACOM for their efforts in this area."
The ES520 is an all-in-one network access device with built-in security. The ES520 is ideally suited to work as a self-contained network combining the functions of a wireless access point, Ethernet switch and security gateway in a form factor engineered specifically for harsh outdoor environments. Delivering a Suite B compliant product required Fortress to incorporate commercial cryptographic algorithms – including Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for encryption, Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) for key exchange, as well as hashing – into its existing National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) FIPS 140-2 certified security solutions.
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Fortress Technologies Helps Demonstrate Successful Portable RFID Solution during Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise
Solution Provides U.S., Coalition Forces with Secure Wireless and a Transportable Backbone for Mobile Active RFID Readers
Tampa, Fla., Sept. 18, 2007 — Fortress Technologies, a leading provider of security and secure wireless solutions, today announced that its wireless system played a key role in the successful demonstration of a secure Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) solution during a III Marine Expeditionary Force exercise in Gladstone Port, Australia. The exercise, which included military units from both the United States and its Coalition partners, provides simulated real-life scenarios in order to test in an operational environment. The solution, managed by the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) using technologies from Fortress and other suppliers, provided a transportable wireless backbone for mobile RFID readers that track in-transit supplies in near real-time.
"The USMC is consistently looking for innovative technologies that help them to more efficiently conduct their forward-deployed missions," said Dennis O’Leary, a Senior Systems Engineer with Skylla Engineering Ltd. "The III Marine Expeditionary Force exercise provided an outstanding opportunity to demonstrate an easy-to-operate and secure deployable wireless capability. The ability to automate flow tracking within a congested port area by tying new technologies into current USMC logistics systems provides tremendous benefit in maintaining the Commander’s situational and operational awareness, as well as frees up significant man-hours currently used in tracking and recording." O’Leary is a contractor that is supporting the Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Virginia.
As tested, the solution contains ES520 Secure Wireless Access Bridges, Secure Client Bridges, Client Software and antennas from Fortress, as well as signpost RFID readers and portable tripods from Savi Technology, Inc., a Lockheed Martin Company. The solution can be put together quickly, and is portable enough to be easily stowed onboard ships and then deployed at temporary ports and/or staging areas. Providing easy-to-establish secure wireless active RFID checkpoints, these solutions offer the capability to scan and record vital location information on cargo as it is moved between various staging lots and loaded/unloaded from transport vehicles.
"Fortress is pleased to have played a key role in the deployment of a high-end, portable, secure RFID-based solution that would enable the III Marine Expeditionary Force to deploy anywhere at anytime," said Dana Kuntz, Vice President, Federal Sales, Fortress. "We appreciate the opportunity to assist in the creation of this solution with companies such as Savi Technology to meet the objectives of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, and we look forward to future implementations."
Based in Okinawa, Japan, the III Marine Expeditionary Force is a forward-deployed Air-Ground-Logistics-Base team that maintains missions ranging from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to amphibious assault and high intensity combat. As part of its readiness preparation, the III Marine Expeditionary Force conducts exercises throughout the year to test and evaluate mission-critical technologies and solutions. This particular exercise was conducted during June and July 2007 and involved over 15,000 U.S. and Coalition troops.
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Fortress Technologies to Secure National Guard Deployable Communications Solution
Company Enables Secure Voice, Video and Data Transmissions During Emergency Response Operations
Tampa, Fla. – Aug 22, 2007 — Fortress Technologies, a leading provider of security and secure wireless solutions, today announced that it is integrating its Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) certified security solutions into the National Guard's nationwide Joint Incident Site Communications Capability (JISCC). JISCC is a deployable communications solution that provides voice, video and data connectivity during emergency response or disaster recovery situations. JISCC is an element of the National Guard's Joint CONUS Communications Support Environment (JCCSE), which focuses on interagency communications interoperability.
"It is well documented that the current communications infrastructure is not always available during major disasters -- both natural and man-made," said Dana Kuntz, Vice President, Federal Sales, Fortress. "The goal of the JISCC 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, National Guard headquarters and/or the U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM). Fortress is pleased to have been selected as the wireless security provider on this project and looks forward to working with the JISCC development team."
DataPath, Inc. was recently awarded a $16,000,000 contract by the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command to develop the JISCC system. DataPath will incorporate the Fortress certified security solution into its satellite communications base units, which deliver high bandwidth to deployed local wireless and wired networks, Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephones, video teleconferencing systems and interoperable handheld radios. The integration of Fortress' ES520 Secure Wireless Access Bridge solution suite will provide the JISCC system with FIPS certified, secure wireless communications.
JISCC communications systems are designed to be portable to support rapid deployment to disaster and/or incident sites. This procurement will deliver 32 JISCC systems nationally, providing the National Guard with robust communications capabilities that can be quickly leveraged in response to federally declared disasters.
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Fortress Technologies Provides Secure Wireless for Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Communications System
Implementation Enables Disaster Recovery/Continuity of Operations Coordination during Crisis Situations
Tampa, Fla., Jul. 10, 2007 — Fortress Technologies, a leading provider of security and secure wireless solutions, today announced that it has incorporated its ES520 Secure Wireless Access Bridges into the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) emergency communications system. VSATs are completely mobile communication units that enable the establishment of secure voice, video and data capabilities in areas that have no available infrastructure – such as following a natural disaster or terrorist attack. VSATs are deployed at VA facilities in “high risk” hurricane areas down the east coast to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico region.
“During Hurricane Katrina, the VA lost all communications between its New Orleans, LA and Biloxi, MS locations, making it extremely difficult to coordinate disaster recovery/continuity of operations (COOP) plans,” said Dana Kuntz, Vice President, Federal Sales, Fortress. “As a result, the VA took important steps to develop a mobile, wireless communications system that would allow access to critical applications and patient information at remote locations during an emergency situation. The VSAT provides this capability.”
As part of the VSAT, Fortress is providing secure wireless capabilities through its ES520 Secure Wireless Access Bridges, an all-in-one deployable networking solution that combines the functions of an access point, switch, wireless bridge and security gateway in a form factor engineered specifically for harsh outdoor environments. The Fortress ES520 provides wireless infrastructure for mission-critical communications across fixed, portable and mobile environments – offering immediate “on-demand” secure voice, video and data capabilities. The Fortress ES520 is currently installed in five VSATs with plans to be integrated into eight more.
Each VSAT incorporates a satellite dish, generator/battery power, modem, switch, router, hardwire data/Internet Protocol (IP) ports, wireless SIP and IP phones, analog lines, laptops, copier/fax/printer, as well as video conferencing equipment. The addition of the Fortress ES520 provides an easy-to-install, small, compact, rugged device that offers the required Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) security functionality and increased backhaul – improving the wireless connectivity range ten-fold. The system has been proven through extensive testing at the VA’s North Little Rock, AR facility through exercises with state and local emergency response teams.
“Fortress has a long history of supporting government healthcare facilities with our secure wireless solutions,” said Kuntz. “Having the VA’s confidence in us to deliver such a mission-critical program of providing increased disaster recovery/COOP coordination in a wireless environment is extremely rewarding. We applaud the Department for its initiative and innovation as it looks to better serve its veteran patients.”
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BridgeWave Communications Teams with Fortress Technologies
Will Deliver FIPS-Compliant, Best-of-Class Wireless Solution Embraced by Exclusive IMOD Contractors
Santa Clara, CA – May 21, 2007 — BridgeWave Communications, the leading supplier of gigabit wireless solutions, today announced a strategic partnership with Fortress Technologies, a leading provider of secure wireless networking, to deliver best-of-class, high-speed wireless links that meet the core requirements of government and military networking applications.
The integrated BridgeWave and Fortress solution provides full Gigabit Ethernet wireless connectivity with secure network management access and FIPS 140-2 encryption to satisfy government security standards for use in agency networks. Together, BridgeWave and Fortress offer government contractors and systems integrators the unique ability to provide a wireless network solution that operates at a full gigabit data rate, while meeting all U.S. Army security standards.
According to Gregg Levin, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for BridgeWave, the collective strengths of the two companies create the de facto standard for secure, bandwidth-intensive military communications. “Integrating Fortress’ external data encryption products with BridgeWave’s gigabit wireless bridges provides our teaming partners with the optimal wireless networking solution for high-capacity military applications,” he says. “We know of no other solution that provides full gigabit RF connectivity while addressing all U.S. Army security requirements.”
The jointly offered BridgeWave-Fortress solution will be on display at the I3MP Conference, which takes place May 21-24 in Orlando, Fla. “Fortress is pleased to join forces with BridgeWave to broaden the connectivity alternatives for military voice, video and data networking applications,” says John Dow, vice president of business development and marketing for Fortress Technologies. “Secure gigabit communications applications that were previously limited to fiber media, now can employ secure wireless and hybrid fiber/wireless technologies.”
With the largest installed base of GigE radios worldwide, BridgeWave last month introduced a new family of high-speed, gigabit wireless links that feature the best range and link availability in the industry. The new Gigabit Ethernet 80GHz Extended Range (GE80X) and AdaptRate™ 80GHz Extended Range (AR80X) bridges deliver up to “five nines” availability over multi-mile distances. Meanwhile, Fortress Technologies recently announced that its ES520 Secure Wireless Access Bridges earned a FIPS 140-2 level 2 certificate from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
About BridgeWave Communications
Founded in 1999, BridgeWave Communications is the leading supplier of Gigabit Ethernet outdoor wireless connectivity solutions. The company’s exclusive AdaptRate™ technology and Forward Error Correction capabilities deliver the highest availability at the longest distances for full-rate GigE solutions. BridgeWave’s point-to-point, fixed wireless solutions are ideally suited for a wide variety of enterprise, service provider, healthcare, education, public safety and government/military network applications. With the largest installed base of GigE radios worldwide, BridgeWave delivers the highest levels of product quality and reliability. For more information, visit www.bridgewave.com.
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