Secure Management of Remote Government & Defense Worker Laptops

Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions has introduced the PacStar End User Device Manager (EUDM), a new capability set to its PacStar IQ-Core Software suite of products that provides setup, configuration, monitoring, and updating of user systems for remote Federal defense and civilian organization workers. 

PacStar EUDM manages networks that require a National Security Agency (NSA) Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) approved solution for transmitting classified information over untrusted networks. The end user devices employ a highly secure real time operating system environment rated at Evaluation Assurance Level 6+ from INTEGRITY Global Security (IGS), a subsidiary of Green Hills Software.

According to the company, the PacStar EUDM can quickly bulk provision IGS secure laptops with a desired state configuration, including automatic creation and installation of certificates. It supports remote ‘over the air’ updating, which eliminates the cost, time, and logistics incurred when a remote worker’s secure laptop must be physically returned (sometimes via diplomatic pouch) to a data center to update its critical software. 

PacStar EUDM extends the existing certificate and VPN management capabilities of PacStar IQ-Core Software, which simplifies the management of NSA CSfC solutions, significantly reduces equipment costs compared to Type 1 encryption hardware and enables US Coalition Partner interoperability – all without using controlled cryptographic items.

“Over the last few years, we’ve witnessed an exponential increase in remote working, which poses complex challenges for network managers who must track and update the secure networks used by Federal defense and civilian organization workers,” said Chris Wiltsey, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions division. “Until now, the only option for renewing security certificates or updating software on secure laptops has been to physically ship the device back to the data center. The addition of PacStar EUDM to our PacStar IQ-Core Software enterprise network management suite enables these laptops to be managed remotely ‘over the air’. This means a remote worker, based overseas, can have their device’s software patched and their network certificate updated automatically, ensuring timely security upgrades with significantly reduced costs of delivery.”

Key advantages of PacStar IQ-Core Software EUDM include:

• Provisioning: Rapid out-of-the-box initial set up of secure laptops, at scale
• Updating: Over the air updates of certificates and software patches to deployed EUDs
• Monitoring: View current EUD state and activity logs. Receive alerts when software is out of date or certificates are expiring.
• Infrastructure Management: Configure and monitor enterprise infrastructure including VPN gateways and firewalls. Ensure compliance with NSA CSfC capability packages.

The PacStar IQ-Core Software

PacStar IQ-Core Software is an integrated, network communications management software for the military, federal, state/local government, and emergency responder markets. It features an intuitive and integrated single pane-of-glass user interface and provides secure management of communications systems, particularly in remote or infrastructure-starved areas, while reducing network misconfiguration, improving uptime, simplifying troubleshooting, and providing cyber situational awareness to tactical networks.

PacStar EUDM integrates with the PacStar family of software products, including IQ-Core Network Communications Manager (NCM), IQ-Core Crypto Manager (CM), and IQ-Core Remote Operations, and Management (ROAM).

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