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By David Crane
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August 20, 2012
Last updated on 8/21/12.
While DefenseReview (DR) was attending NDIA Special Operations Forces Industry Conference 2012 (SOFIC 2012), we shared a cab one day with a retired Australian military SOF assaulter/operator. When we casually inquired about any tactical hardware/technology he was interested in, one of the products he mentioned was the M5 Network Security SCS-100 Secure Communications System. In fact, he was pretty excited about it, which really piqued our interest in it.
So, we hightailed it on over to the M5 Network Security booth and ran into the company's Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Merik Karman, whom we promptly interviewed about the new tech. The M5 SCS-100 Secure Communications System is essentially a small, lightweight mobile encrypted tactical communications (tactical comms) module that can be connected to a soft phone (VoIP phone), laptop computer or tablet computer to enable the operator to engage in encrypted/secure tactical comms (tactical communications) with whomever else has a SCS-100 or SCS-200 module on hand.
Mr. Karman had the following to say about the SCS-100 during our interview with him (we've edited out our questions):
"So, the SCS-100 here is essentially a fly-away kit or a solo [unintelligible]. This device here is everything you need to affect secure communications other than the laptop that you’re gonna’ use. So, basically in that case is your high-grade crypto, as well as this device here. We try and make this as easy to use as possible, allowing the person that’s traveling to not require communications support. So, literally no communications support, a high-ranking officer, a high-ranking officer, a solo…a liaison officer can achieve secure communications without their aid. So, for example, here, we’re running over hotel [WiFi], and I could…additional to that, I could bring up a WiFi bearer and connect using the easy-to-use touchscreen, find a wireless network, join it, and mesh my communications back with the strategic interface.
I can, additional to that, use a soft phone (VoIP phone) on this device, make a phone call, there's a battery in-built, so I can transition from the hotel…battery included, so I can remove the power and transition from a fixed situation in a hotel to a car, plug it into the cigarett lighter and go live on [unintelligble] on-the-move terminal or on 3G or 4G. So, basically, everything you need, here, in-built to this tiny little package. This has 3G, 4G, WiFi, video cell, 3-gigabit ethernets, all built into this device, including cybersecurity [also written cyber-security].
These days, as we rely more on more on net-centric warfare, we rely more and more on networks to conduct our busines, we must be vigilant to the cyber threat. The problem is that we would typically rely on strategic sensors to find out what's going on. What we're doing with this is we're actually putting intrusion detection and firewall capability right out at the tactical edge. So, that's what makes this product a little bit different [from] others. So, this laptop is connected through here, drawing a [WiFi] bearer from a hotel internet service, communicating back with a tactical interface in Australia [and] performing a video conference with that device over there, the SCS-200. This [SCS-200] is a larger model. This one here [SCS-200] is designed to support five (5) people, where the 100 is designed to support only one (1).
Well, this here [SCS-200] has soft phones, both on the red sides, and sipanet and nipanet phones built-in, but it also provides power-over-ethernet to a fixed handset to support normal voice-over-IP telephony. That’s [laptop] communicating to that one there via that same system. So, it's a fully meshed IP communication system using public IP bearer system."
When Defense Review commented that the SCS-100 appeared to be the "coolest little thing" at the booth, Karman replied "Yeah, yeah, this [SCS-100] is game-changing in terms of its form factor. Imagine previously having to carry a great big briefcase with all sorts of equipment. Literally, now, we’re talking about this [SCS-100] and a laptop."
It's important to note that for top-secret-level encrypted tactical comms, the operator would have to couple the software-based M5 SCS-100 with a hardware-based high-grade crypto device/module like the L-3 TRL Technology Mini-CATAPAN, which is a "pocket-sized" 100Mbps device/module.
Defense Review's video from the show below contains some great info on the SCS-100 and SCS-200 Secure Communications Systems:
The following information on the SCS-100 comes from the M5 Network Security website:
"To ensure highly reliable communications, the SCS-100 establishes simultaneous connections via Wi-Fi, 3G/4G, BGAN satellite, Ethernet and ADSL. The user can direct the SCS-100 to select the best performing, the cheapest or load balance multiple communications bearers.
An intuitive touch screen interface, with pre-saved scenarios, allows the end user to easily configure the system on-site without the need to travel with technical specialists.
SCS-100 Features:
– Small and lightweight
– Simple-to-use icon-driven menu control system, minimising training costs and time
– In-built support for 3G, wireless and Ethernet
– Powered by DC and in-built battery
– Remote administration and monitoring capability
– In-built cyber-security detects suspicious and malicious activity and unauthorised connections
– Suitable for military, governmental and commercial use
– Available in commercial and ruggedised variants
– Transportation case options available"
The following information comes from the M5 Network Security SCS-100 Secure Communications System data sheet:
"The SCS-100’s small and lightweight form factor is designed to allow a single user simultaneous access to a range of secure networks, from highly classified to unclassified, from anywhere in the world using any IP network safely and securely.
To ensure highly reliable communications, the SCS-100 establishes simultaneous connections via Wi-Fi, 3G (4G upgradable), BGAN Satellite, Ethernet and ADSL. The user can direct the SCS-100 to select the best-performing or most cost effective connection or load balance multiple connection bearers. An intuitive touch screen interface, with pre-saved scenarios, allows the end-user to easily configure the system on-site without the need to travel with technical specialists.
– Internal 3G (4G upgradable) and WI-FI with optional external antenna ports for additional range
– 3 Multi-role Ethernet ports for internal and external connections
– ADSL Port –
Simple touch screen user interface
– USB Ports for expansion, updates and headset
Features:
– Small and lightweight
– Easy-to-use icon-driven menu control system, minimising training costs and time
– In-built support for 3G (4G upgradable), wireless and Ethernet
– Powered by DC and in-built battery
– Remote administration and monitoring capability
– In-built cyber-security detects suspicious and malicious activity and unauthorised connections
– Suitable for military, government and commercial use
– Available in commercial and ruggedised variants
– Transportation case options available
The SCS-100 is part of the larger Secure Communications System (SCS).
The SCS devices automatically find each other and form a meshed network, capable of dynamically reconstituting and reforming as the environment changes.
Devices are able to communicate directly to each other without the requirement to route via a gateway."
M5 Network Security SCS-100 Secure Communications Systeml Data Sheet
Company Contact Info:
M5 Network Security
401 E Oak Ave
Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813-340-6442
Email: info@m5netsec.com.au
Website: http://www.m5netsec.com.au
M5 Network Security
218 Northbourne Avenue
Braddon
ACT 2612
Telephone: 1300 656 019
Fax: 1300 365 893
Email: info@m5netsec.com.au
Website: http://www.m5netsec.com.au
M5 Network Security
151 Barkly Ave., Suite 2
Burnley
Richmond, VIC 3121
Telephone: 1300 656 019
Fax: 1300 365 893
Email: info@m5netsec.com.au
Website: http://www.m5netsec.com.au
L-3 TRL Technology
Unit 19, Miller Court
Severn Drive, Tewkesbury
Gloucestershire
GL20 8DN
Tel: +44(0)1684 278700
Fax: +44 (0)1684 850406
Email Contact Form: http://www.trltech.co.uk/Contact%20Us/
Website: http://www.trltech.co.uk
Company Registration No: 1705039
VAT Registration No: GB 840 4644 38
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