Fortezza is an
information security system that uses the Fortezza Crypto Card, a
PC Card
In computing, PC Card is a configuration for computer parallel communication peripheral interface, designed for laptop computers. Originally introduced as PCMCIA, the PC Card standard as well as its successors like CardBus were defined and devel ...
-based
security token. It was developed for the U.S. government's
Clipper chip project and has been used by the U.S. Government in various applications.
Each individual who is authorized to see protected information is issued a ''Fortezza card'' that stores
private keys and other data needed to gain access. It contains an NSA approved security microprocessor called ''
Capstone'' (
MYK-80) that implements the
Skipjack encryption algorithm.
The original Fortezza card (KOV-8) is a
Type 2 product which means it cannot be used for
classified information. The most widely used
Type 1 encryption card is the KOV-12 Fortezza card which is used extensively for the
Defense Message System
The Defense Message System or Defense Messaging System (DMS) is a deployment of secure electronic mail and directory services in the United States Department of Defense. DMS was intended to replace the AUTODIN network, and is based on implement ...
(DMS). The KOV-12 is cleared up to TOP SECRET/SCI. A later version, called
KOV-14 or Fortezza Plus, uses a
Krypton microprocessor that implements stronger,
Type 1 encryption and may be used for information
classified
Classified may refer to:
General
*Classified information, material that a government body deems to be sensitive
*Classified advertising or "classifieds"
Music
*Classified (rapper) (born 1977), Canadian rapper
*The Classified, a 1980s American roc ...
up to TOP SECRET/SCI. It, in turn, is being replaced by the newer
KSV-21 PC card with more modern algorithms and additional capabilities.
The cards are interchangeable within the many types of equipment that support Fortezza and can be rekeyed and reprogrammed by the owners, making them easy to issue and reuse. This simplifies the process of rekeying equipment for crypto changes: instead of requiring an expensive
fill device, a technician is able to put a new Fortezza card in the device's PCMCIA slot.
The Fortezza Plus card and its successors are used with NSA's
Secure Terminal Equipment voice and data encryption systems that are replacing the
STU-III. It is manufactured by the
Mykotronx Corporation and by
Spyrus. Each card costs about $240 and they are commonly used with card readers sold by
Litronic Corporation.
The Fortezza card has been used in government, military, and banking applications to protect sensitive data.
References
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*{{cite book, author=Peter Gutmann, title=Cryptographic security architecture: design and verification, chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MKcaOgrUYoMC&pg=PA236, accessdate=16 February 2012, year=2004, publisher=Springer, location=New York, isbn=978-0-387-95387-8, pages=236–237, chapter=The Capstone/Fortezza Generator
External links
SafeNet web site (Mykotronx is a division of SafeNet)Spyrus web siteLitronic web site
National Security Agency encryption devices