Belkin Unveiling Secure USB Peripheral Switch

Belkin International, Inc. introduced its Advanced Secure USB Peripheral Switch that enables users to share any USB device on up to four different computers with different networks at different security levels.

The switch was designed and tested to support a wide variety of USB devices, including smart card readers, cameras, thumb drives, USB controllers and more. In tandem with the company’s desktop controller unit, the switch improves usability, situational awareness, and security.

It is configurable through a password-protected application, ensuring that only authorized IT personnel have access to defined settings. It enables IT departments to assign a specific USB device access to only some of the computers connected to it, allowing a USB device policy. The switch is able to filter USB devices based on a detailed scheme with rules that allow or block USB devices based on specific, user-defined parameters without using software.

The switch is equipped with a designated port supporting the Desktop Controller Unit. It enables browsing through available networks and an indication of selected channels through numbers, as well as programmable text and colors. In order to ensure high level of protection, the peripheral switch is equipped with an end-to-end tamper-proof packaging system that prevents physical tampering, as well as color chips and name labels to reduce user-switching errors by providing identification.

Features:

• USB Device Filtering – It’s based on a scheme with the ability to create up to 32 rules that allow or block USB devices based on class, subclass, protocol, serial number, VID and PID.

• No Shared Resources – The switch is designed to operate even when peripheral devices are vulnerable to signaling attacks. The switch does not allow computer access to any shared resource and does not share controllable power sources.

• Assign USB Devices to Specific Computers – The switch enables users to assign a specific or type of USB device only to some of the computers connected to it – or block others – allowing a USB device policy.

• Variety of USB Support – The switch was designed and tested to support the widest variety of USB devices.

• Hot Swap USB Devices – The switch allows hot swapping of USB devices while still connected to the target computers. This enables organizations to create multiple USB device rules, allowing the users to share different devices in a single configuration.

• Easy-to-Use, Password-Protected Configuration Application – The switch is configurable through an application that can be password-protected, ensuring that only authorized IT personnel can configure the device.

• DCU (Desktop Controller Unit) Support – The switch supports the patented DCU to enable KVM operation, remotely at the user’s desk. Channel names may be programmed into the DCU display to improve usability, situational awareness and security.

• Increased Reliability – Using a 25-year anti-tampering battery with a low self-discharge rate, the life expectancy of the switch has been increased.

“Until now, USB device access was controlled by software running on the computer which meant it could be hacked or modified. A USB device not issued by an agency can infect the computer system and network which can be used to inject malicious software, for example,” said Luis Artiz, director of product management, business division, Belkin. “Now with the new USB Peripheral Switch and Belkin DCU, end users can access authorized USB peripherals on their desktops while ensuring network security. And for government agencies and financial institutions, where security is paramount, deploying a hardware-based solution is critical.“