Fortress Technologies Leads the Way for Suite B Implementation

Release date: 6/16/2010

Company Announces New Customer Initiative and Product Enhancements

Reston, VA  – Fortress Technologies, the leader in secure tactical wireless communications, today announced that it has won a strategic contract with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) to develop a series of 802.11 wireless network components that can be integrated into a layered solution to meet security requirements mandated by the National Security Agency (NSA) for classified wireless data transmission up to the secret level. This initiative is designed to provide wireless sensor communications at the Savannah River Site, where cabling and Type 1 solutions would be too costly and burdensome.

“This is an extraordinary win for both Fortress and the DOE,” said Janet Kumpu, President, Fortress. “Many organizations are challenged by the current dependence on Type 1 equipment to protect classified communications, and are actively seeking ways to enable and extend their classified wireless networks using other approved security measures. This project will increase the security, interoperability, and flexibility of the DOE’s network by leveraging commercially available equipment, Suite B algorithms, and open standards and protocols to support the mission. Fortress is proud to have been chosen to deliver this solution, leading the way in delivering high performance, secure, wireless networks.”

The NSA has defined a series of open-standards based requirements for individual devices and protocols that when properly integrated produce a layered solution that can be certified to securely transmit secret data over an 802.11 wireless network. It is anticipated that these requirements will become the standard for US Government agencies desiring to provide mobile access to secret and below networks within their protected enclaves. Fortress products supporting this effort include the FC-X Security Controller, the ES520 Secure Wireless Bridge, and the ES210 Tactical Mesh Point. In addition to this current initiative, Fortress’ Suite B solutions are being successfully tested by several other DoD organizations.

Building on this momentum, Fortress is also announcing a strategic corporate initiative to develop and adopt an Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) compliant version of its Suite B solution later this year. Fortress recognizes the security and interoperability benefits of supporting this standard, and is working closely with its customers to help accelerate the evaluation, acceptance, and approval of its solutions.

“Launching the new Suite B IPsec platform further solidifies our lead in this space, and provides the ideal solution for supporting open standards across all Fortress products,” said Kumpu. “Our wireless mesh products, equipped with industry-leading security and performance, and delivering open standard flexibility and interoperability, now will, when approved, provide the critical last link in enabling secret and below communications to the tactical edge. Fortress is committed to assisting its customers in realizing the benefits of NSA’s Cryptographic Interoperability Strategy.”