StarTech CK4-HP202C Secure 2-Port Dual-Monitor KVM Switch with HDMI and DisplayPort
Overview
The StarTech CK4-HP202C is a NIAP Protection Profile 4.0-certified secure KVM switch built for environments where operating security policy strictly prohibits data leakage between connected computers — government workstations, classified network access points, defense contractor desktops, and high-assurance enterprise IT. It handles two computers simultaneously across two monitors each, delivering 4K 60Hz output over both HDMI and DisplayPort, so you are not compromising display resolution to meet your security compliance requirements.
Unlike consumer KVM switches that simply multiplex USB and video signals, the CK4-HP202C is designed from the ground up against the secure KVM switch standard that matters most in government and defense procurement: NIAP PSD PP 4.0. That certification is the differentiator that gets this unit onto approved product lists and through procurement review. If your deployment does not require NIAP 4.0, there are simpler and less expensive paths. If it does, this is the specification to evaluate.
Key Features
- NIAP 4.0 Certification (PSD PP v4.0): The CK4-HP202C is certified under the Protection Profile for Peripheral Sharing Devices Version 4.0 — the current NIAP standard for secure KVMs. This certification means the hardware has been independently evaluated against strict anti-tamper, data isolation, and anti-spoofing requirements. For government and DoD deployments, this is typically a non-negotiable procurement requirement, not a nice-to-have.
- Dual-Monitor Support Across Both Ports: Each of the two connected computers drives two displays simultaneously — four total display connections on the host side (4x DisplayPort female + 4x HDMI). Switching between computers keeps both monitors in sync, which matters when operators run multi-application workflows across extended desktops on classified and unclassified networks side by side.
- 4K 60Hz Video Output: Console-side outputs include 2x DisplayPort and 2x HDMI capable of 4K 60Hz. Running modern displays at full native resolution means no downscaling artifacts that can degrade readability in CAD, GIS, or intelligence analysis workflows.
- Flexible Video Connectivity (DisplayPort + HDMI): Host connectors support both 20-pin DisplayPort and HDMI on each port, so you can mix workstation types — a DisplayPort-native workstation alongside an HDMI-only laptop, for example — without adapter chains that introduce signal integrity risk.
- USB 2.0 Peripheral Sharing: Three USB 2.0 Type-A ports on the console side handle keyboard, mouse, and a third peripheral (CAC reader, for instance). Four USB 2.0 Type-B ports connect to host machines. The USB isolation architecture in a NIAP 4.0 switch prevents HID-based data exfiltration paths between connected hosts.
- Audio Switching: One 3.5mm stereo output on the console side and two 3.5mm inputs on the host side let you route audio from the active computer. Useful in secure ops environments where audio monitoring is part of the workstation workflow without running separate speaker switching.
- All-Metal Enclosure: The 3.9 lb metal chassis (223 x 170 x 66 mm) is not decorative — metal construction supports RF shielding requirements common in TEMPEST-adjacent environments and provides the physical durability expected in 24/7 operations center installations.
- 6-Meter Maximum Cable Run: Rated to 19.7 ft (6 m) on cable lengths, which covers most standard rack-to-desk or adjacent-rack configurations without signal conditioning concerns. If your console is further than 6 m from the hosts, plan your cable routing before ordering.
- Operating Temperature 0°C to 40°C: Standard commercial operating range covers conditioned server rooms and office environments. Not rated for industrial or outdoor use — this is a controlled-environment device by design.
- 3-Year Manufacturer Warranty: The CK4-HP202C carries a 3-year warranty, appropriate for a device expected to run continuously in mission-critical workstation environments.
Integration and Compatibility
The CK4-HP202C (often searched as CK4 HP202C) connects two host computers — each requiring one DisplayPort and one HDMI output plus one USB 2.0 Type-B connection — to a shared dual-monitor console. No driver installation is required for basic switching operation; the USB HID path handles keyboard and mouse transparently. The NIAP 4.0 architecture enforces strict unidirectional data paths on USB, which means USB mass storage and non-HID device classes are intentionally blocked — this is by design per the PSD PP 4.0 standard, not a bug. Verify that your CAC reader or other USB peripherals enumerate as HID-class before deployment if peripheral compatibility is a concern.
For secure workstation environments integrating with KVM accessories such as CAC readers or secure keyboards, confirm NIAP-compliant peripheral compatibility with your security officer prior to procurement. Pairing this switch with a secure network infrastructure stack is standard practice in multi-domain workstation environments. For broader context on selecting the right KVM configuration for your environment, review the KVM switch buying guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What NIAP certification level does the CK4-HP202C hold?
A: The CK4-HP202C is certified under NIAP Protection Profile for Peripheral Sharing Devices (PSD), Version 4.0 — the current and most stringent NIAP standard for secure KVM switches.
Q: How many computers and monitors does the CK4-HP202C support?
A: It supports 2 computers (KVM ports), each driving 2 monitors, for a total of 4 display outputs on the host side. The console side provides 2 DisplayPort and 2 HDMI outputs for the shared displays.
Q: Does the CK4-HP202C support 4K resolution?
A: Yes. The console video outputs support 4K at 60Hz over both DisplayPort and HDMI connections.
Q: Will USB mass storage devices work through the CK4-HP202C?
A: No. The NIAP PSD PP 4.0 security architecture intentionally blocks non-HID USB device classes — including USB storage — to prevent data transfer between connected computers. Only HID-class devices (keyboard, mouse, CAC readers that enumerate as HID) are supported on the USB ports.
Q: What is the warranty on the CK4-HP202C?
A: The CK4-HP202C carries a 3-year manufacturer warranty.
Q: What is the maximum cable length supported by the CK4-HP202C?
A: The rated maximum cable length is 19.7 ft (6 m). Plan cable routing accordingly — exceeding this distance may result in signal degradation.
The CK4-HP202C is the specific model I recommend when a procurement request explicitly calls out NIAP PSD PP 4.0 — not 3.0, not 'NIAP-compliant,' but the current Version 4.0 Protection Profile. That distinction matters on government and DoD acquisition checklists, and the StarTech CK4-HP202C has the certification to back it up, not just a marketing claim.
Technical Highlights:
- NIAP PSD PP 4.0: The highest current NIAP certification tier for peripheral sharing devices — evaluated independently against anti-tamper, isolated data path, and anti-spoofing requirements. This is what gets the unit onto approved product lists without a waiver process.
- 4K 60Hz Dual-Monitor Console: Two DisplayPort and two HDMI outputs at the console support 4K 60Hz — no resolution compromise for operators running GIS, intelligence analysis, or CAD workflows on extended desktops at classified workstations.
- All-Metal 3.9 lb Chassis (223 x 170 x 66 mm): The metal enclosure contributes RF shielding integrity relevant in TEMPEST-adjacent installations. It also survives the physical handling reality of operations centers where equipment is moved, stacked, and racked with minimal ceremony.
Deployment Considerations:
- Cable plan before you order: the 6 m (19.7 ft) maximum cable length is firm. In rack-dense environments where console and hosts are in separate bays, measure the actual cable path — not straight-line distance — before specifying.
- USB mass storage is blocked by design per PSD PP 4.0. If your operators rely on USB drives for data transfer between domains, that workflow needs to be handled through a separate approved data transfer solution — the KVM will not be the path for it, intentionally.
This unit is the right fit for a two-person secure operations center workstation where both operators need independent dual-monitor setups switching between classified and unclassified networks, and the facility security officer requires a current NIAP 4.0-certified switching device by name on the system security plan.
