Software House Achieves FIPS 197 Validation for Entire iSTAR Controller Family

Software House Achieves FIPS 197 Validation for Entire iSTAR Controller Family

Software House Achieves FIPS 197 Validation for Entire iSTAR Controller FamilySoftware House, part of the security products business unit of Tyco, has announced that it has attained the U.S. Government’s Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 197 validation for its complete iSTAR physical access controller family, including iSTAR Edge, iSTAR Pro, iSTAR eX, and soon-to-be-released iSTAR Ultra.    

FIPS 197 is the government’s standard for the AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption algorithm for electronic data.  It is the preferred cryptographic method utilized by U.S. government agencies due to its high-level of cryptographic, key strength.

The FIPS 197 validation is based on the implementation of the C•CURE Cryptographic Engine v2.0, utilized by Software House, to provide cryptographic services within the iSTAR controllers as well as the C•CURE 9000 security and event management system. C•CURE 9000 is a highly-scalable security and event management platform, allowing users to meet access control and security needs from entry to enterprise level.

“Our latest FIPS 197 validation demonstrates our commitment to providing the industry’s highest levels of encryption across our entire product line” said Rick Focke, senior product manager for Software House.  “Now all iSTAR network controllers, from our single-reader iSTAR Edge up to a 16-reader iSTAR Pro or iSTAR Ultra, can communicate peer-to-peer in an encrypted manner, even when offline from the host.”

The FIPS 197 standard is a joint effort by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States and the Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC) under the Canadian government. The standard provides third-party assurance of security claims on any product containing cryptography that may be purchased by a government agency.

Featured

  • Brivo, Eagle Eye Networks Merge

    Dean Drako, Chairman of Brivo, the leading global provider of cloud-native access control and smart space technologies, and Founder of Eagle Eye Networks, the global leader in cloud AI video surveillance, today announced the two companies will merge, creating the world’s largest AI cloud-native physical security company. The merged company will operate under the Brivo name and deliver a truly unified cloud-native security platform. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Announces the 2026 Security Megatrends

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has identified and forecasted the 2026 Security Megatrends, which form the basis of SIA’s signature annual Security Megatrends report defining the top 10 factors influencing both near- and long-term change in the global security industry. Read Now

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

New Products

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.