For Immediate Release
27 July 2006
Siemon's Category 7 TERA Becomes the Only Copper Network Cabling System to Pass TEMPEST Security Testing
Independent, NSA-Certified testing facility confirms that TERA® is suitable for use in high security TEMPEST-rated environments.
Dayton T. Brown, Inc., a National Security Agency (NSA) certified testing facility, recently confirmed that Siemon's category7/class F TERA end-to-end network cabling system is suitable for use in high security classified networks such as those that follow TEMPEST/EMSEC guidelines, making it the first and only copper system to meet these stringent requirements.
TEMPEST/EMSEC is a U.S. government code word defining the counter-intelligence standards developed to protect secure data transmissions from electronic espionage. Although actual requirements and test parameters are classified, it is widely known that TEMPEST/EMSEC specifications set out extremely strict limits on signal radiation from data networks.
"TEMPEST/EMSEC provides practically impenetrable security standards. The US government developed it to ensure that classified data in organisations like Homeland Security and the military are absolutely secure." said Carrie Higbie, Siemon's Global Network Applications Market Manager, "Although only selected government agencies have access to the full TEMPEST requirements, private enterprises with high data security needs are looking to TEMPEST-style installations. That is what makes TERA important - it gives the private sector a network cabling option deemed suitable for the highest levels of government security."
While there is individually approved equipment, the US TEMPEST certification applies to a complete system. In a network environment, this includes all components, including the cabling plant. In secure communications, the medium used to transmit the data (i.e.: the cabling) is part of the secure system.
The requirements were so stringent that few cabling options were available. Copper networks were possible, but required very specific and labour-intensive installation practices, such as placing all cables individually in ferrous conduit as well as physically separating the cabling into secure and non-secure areas.
Dayton T. Brown, Inc.'s tests, however, confirm that TERA channels do not require conduit as a security measure and can be installed with limited separation between secure and non secure channels. TERA utilises fully-shielded S/FTP cable and fully shielded connectivity. In S/FTP cable, each pair is individually shielded and an overall braid shield surrounds all conductors. This shielding eliminates any potential security gap caused by signal radiation or emission. Additional shielding is integrated into the outlets and plugs, eliminating another emission source.
In addition to its high-security capabilities, TERA is the highest performing twisted-pair copper cabling system available, offering performance up to and beyond 10Gb/s. This increased ability to support future application speeds translates into a longer functional lifecycle and thereby, better total cost of ownership.
Siemon's TERA is part of the most comprehensive line of 10Gb/s cabling solutions available. For more information on Siemon's entire 10G ip™ product family, including 10G 6A UTP™, 10G 6A F/UTP™ and TERA as well as XGLO® fibre optics solutions, visit www.siemon.co.uk.
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- About Siemon
- Established in 1903, Siemon is an industry leader specialising in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, with global offices and partners throughout the world, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) and fibre cabling systems available. With over 400 active patents specific to structured cabling, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company's long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.
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