StarTech CK4-P102C 2-Port Secure DisplayPort KVM Switch with NIAP 4.0

Overview

The StarTech CK4-P102C is a two-port, NIAP Protection Profile 4.0-certified desktop KVM switch built for environments where physical security of multi-system workstations is a non-negotiable requirement. Government agencies, defense contractors, intelligence facilities, and secure enterprise IT deployments rely on NIAP-certified KVM switches to prevent data leakage between systems operating at different classification levels — and the CK4-P102C is designed specifically to meet that bar. The all-metal housing keeps this switch durable enough for permanent desk installations, and the DisplayPort video path supports resolutions up to 4K at 30Hz, so operators aren't trading display quality for security compliance.

If you're speccing a workstation console for a controlled access environment and need to switch between two isolated computers from a single keyboard, mouse, and monitor setup, the CK4-P102C (often searched as CK4 P102C) belongs on the short list.

Key Features

• NIAP PP 4.0 Certification: This is the headline spec. NIAP Protection Profile for Peripheral Sharing Switches version 4.0 is the current U.S. government standard for secure KVM devices used in classified and sensitive-but-unclassified environments. Without this certification, a KVM switch cannot legally be deployed in many federal and DoD workstations. The CK4-P102C carries this certification, which means it has been independently evaluated for anti-tamper design, data path isolation, and peripheral control security.
• Two Isolated Host Ports: Two DisplayPort female host connectors let you connect two separate computers — each on its own dedicated video channel — with no shared data path between them. This port-level isolation is the core security architecture: switching between systems does not bridge network, USB data, or video signals across the air gap.
• 4K 30Hz DisplayPort Video: The single-monitor console output delivers up to 4K at 30Hz, which supports high-density documents, mapping tools, and multi-application workspaces that analysts and operators routinely use. One DisplayPort monitor is all you need on the console side — the switch handles the signal routing.
• Three USB 2.0 Type-A Console Ports: Three USB 2.0 ports on the console interface give you simultaneous keyboard, mouse, and a third peripheral (CAC reader, for example) without a hub. In classified environments where CAC or PIV authentication is required at the workstation, having a dedicated USB port for a smart card reader without daisy-chaining through a hub matters for both reliability and audit compliance.
• Maximum Cable Run of 19.7 ft (6 m): Cables from the switch to host computers can run up to 6 meters, giving you enough slack to rack-mount systems in an adjacent enclosure while keeping the KVM at the operator desk. This is a practical number for most secure operations center configurations.
• All-Metal Housing: The 3.9 lb metal enclosure is tamper-evident by design — metal construction is both an anti-tamper physical measure and a durability factor in permanent desk installations. It also means the device won't flex or crack under the physical stress of daily button pressing and cable cycling.
• Compact Desktop Footprint: At 8.8 in × 6.7 in × 2.6 in, the CK4-P102C sits flat on a desk or console tray without consuming significant workspace. If your operator positions are tight, this is a manageable form factor.
• Operating Range 0°C to 40°C: Designed for standard office and operations center environments, not industrial extremes. If you're deploying in a temperature-controlled secure facility, this range presents no issues. Don't plan on putting it in an unheated server room or outdoor enclosure.
• 3-Year Warranty: The manufacturer covers this device for three years — meaningful for a device that's expected to remain in a fixed installation for the life of the workstation build-out. You won't be re-speccing this switch annually.

Integration & Compatibility

The CK4-P102C connects two DisplayPort-equipped computers to a single DisplayPort monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Console-side USB 2.0 Type-A connectors are standard, so any USB HID keyboard and mouse will work without driver installation. The third USB port accommodates peripheral devices such as CAC/PIV card readers, which are standard issue in federal workstation environments.

Cable length planning: host cables up to 6 meters are supported, which covers most desk-to-rack and desk-to-tower configurations. For longer runs, you'll need active DisplayPort extension — passive cables beyond 6 meters may not meet the switch's signal requirements. Verify your host systems have native DisplayPort output; adapters from HDMI or USB-C to DisplayPort may introduce compatibility variables that could affect NIAP compliance posture — check with your security officer before using active adapters in classified environments.

For organizations sourcing StarTech KVM and connectivity solutions across multiple workstations, the CK4-P102C fits within a broader secure KVM switch procurement strategy. Pairing with a high-quality KVM cable set rated to the full 6-meter run ensures consistent signal at 4K. For multi-monitor or higher-port-count requirements, review other models in the NIAP-certified KVM line before finalizing your spec.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What NIAP certification level does the CK4-P102C carry?

A: The CK4-P102C is certified to NIAP Protection Profile for Peripheral Sharing Switches version 4.0 — the current applicable U.S. government standard for secure KVM use in classified and sensitive environments.

Q: How many computers can I connect to the CK4-P102C?

A: Two computers via dedicated DisplayPort female host connectors. Each host is on an isolated data path; the switch does not bridge signals between connected systems.

Q: What is the maximum supported display resolution?

A: The CK4-P102C supports up to 4K at 30Hz over DisplayPort on the single-monitor console output.

Q: Can I connect a CAC or PIV smart card reader to the CK4-P102C?

A: Yes. The console interface provides three USB 2.0 Type-A ports — keyboard and mouse use two, leaving a third available for a CAC/PIV reader or other USB HID peripheral without requiring a hub.

Q: What is the warranty on the CK4-P102C?

A: StarTech covers the CK4-P102C with a 3-year manufacturer warranty.

Q: What is the maximum cable length from the switch to the host computers?

A: Host cables up to 19.7 feet (6 meters) are supported. Passive DisplayPort cables beyond this length may not maintain reliable signal at 4K resolution.

Eden Phillips

The spec that defines the CK4-P102C is NIAP PP 4.0 — not 3.0, not an older iteration. In federal procurement, that version number is the difference between an approvable product and a rejected one. I've seen integrators bring in NIAP 3.0 devices thinking they'd pass a classified facility ATO review, and they didn't. The CK4-P102C meets the current 4.0 bar, which matters if you're working with DoD, IC community agencies, or any federal customer running a modern Risk Management Framework process.

Technical Highlights:

• NIAP PP 4.0: The 4.0 profile tightens requirements around anti-tamper, data path isolation, and keyboard/mouse filtering compared to earlier versions — this is the version federal security officers are checking for today.
• Three USB 2.0 Console Ports: Having three discrete Type-A ports means a keyboard, mouse, and CAC reader each get their own port — no USB hub in the chain, which matters both for reliability and for keeping the peripheral configuration clean for security audits.
• 4K 30Hz DisplayPort: Analysts working with geospatial data, high-resolution imagery, or dense document workflows benefit from the full 4K output — this isn't a KVM that forces you down to 1080p to maintain compliance.

Deployment Considerations:

• Plan cable routes carefully: the 6-meter maximum to host systems covers most desk-to-rack configurations, but measure before you order cables — running short on a classified network installation means delay while you wait for a correctly-rated replacement.
• Verify that host systems have native DisplayPort outputs. In classified environments, active adapters (HDMI-to-DP or USB-C-to-DP) may introduce security posture questions that your authorizing official will need to review before approval — passive adapters generally don't support 4K at 30Hz reliably at longer cable runs either.

The CK4-P102C is the right device for a two-system classified workstation console in a secure operations center or sensitive compartmented information facility — specifically where NIAP PP 4.0 is a procurement requirement and DisplayPort is the video standard on the installed computers.