Harris Corporation, a communications solutions provider for the U.S. government, today announced the development of its SecNet-11, Secure Wireless Local Area Network (SWLAN) product for government and military applications.
The company stated that its SecNet-11 product has been accepted as part of the National Security Agency’s (NSA) Commercial COMSEC Endorsement Program. The product is designed to be used in conjunction with Cisco Aironet 350 series Wi-Fi (802.11b) products.
The SecNet-11 is a secure interface card equipped with the Harris Sierra Encryption Module and the Intersil PRISM II chipset. The Cisco AiroNet 350 Access Point architecture is used on the SecNet-11 Access Point (AP) and Wireless Bridge (WB). These serve as a hub for wireless clients and provide connectivity to the wired LAN. The Harris-developed Type 1 radio encryption card plugs directly into the AP and WB.
The result, according to Harris, is secure communications of data (COMSEC), and source and destination addresses (NETSEC) without the requirement of a hardwired network. This enables computers equipped with the card to freely exchange data with the assurance that the transmissions are secured with a Type 1 encryption algorithm.
Jim Massa, vice president of Cisco’s new Global Defense and Space Group (GDSP), stated that, “This strategic relationship with Harris is an important market enabler that will allow the government to take full advantage of the value that secure wireless communications provide, significantly reducing the management of wired infrastructure concerns, space requirements during airlift, and critical time during deployment by maintaining connectivity during mobile operations.”
Harris stated that the complete system is scheduled to be available in the first half of 2002.
Harris Corporation’s Government Communications Systems Division (GCSD) develops communications solutions for military and government customers. More information can be found at the company’s Web site.
