StarTech CK4-D102C 2-Port Secure DVI KVM Switch with NIAP 4.0 and CAC

Overview

The StarTech CK4-D102C is a 2-port secure KVM switch built specifically for high-security desktop environments where classified and unclassified networks must share a single workstation without any risk of data bleed between domains. NIAP Protection Profile 4.0 certification isn't a marketing badge — it's a mandatory procurement requirement for many U.S. government, defense contractor, and intelligence community deployments. The CK4-D102C meets that bar, which puts it in a narrow field of compliant hardware options.

The switch handles DVI-I video at up to 2560x1600 at 60Hz — enough resolution for modern wide-format displays used in CAD, geospatial analysis, and command-center applications. Manufactured in the USA, the CK4-D102C ships in an all-metal housing that contributes to both physical tamper-resistance and EMI containment, both relevant in sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF) environments.

Key Features

• NIAP Protection Profile 4.0 Certification: This is the current and most stringent NIAP PP standard for peripheral sharing switches. Without PP 4.0, a KVM simply won't pass procurement review for classified U.S. government networks. If your project requires PP 3.0 or earlier, those are less restrictive — but PP 4.0 future-proofs the installation against updated policy requirements.
• 2560x1600 @ 60Hz DVI-I Output: Drives a single monitor at WQUXGA resolution — useful for high-density displays running detailed imagery, mapping data, or split-screen terminal work. The DVI-I console port accepts both digital and analog signals, giving flexibility in monitor selection without an adapter chain.
• CAC (Common Access Card) Port: The integrated CAC reader port allows smart card authentication to pass through to the active host. For DoD and federal users, this eliminates the need for a separate USB card reader plugged into each connected PC — a practical wiring simplification at the desk.
• All-Metal Housing (USA-Made): The metal enclosure isn't cosmetic. It contributes to TEMPEST-adjacent physical security, resists casual tampering, and satisfies physical security requirements common in cleared facility equipment lists. Country of origin (USA) is a relevant procurement filter for many federal contracts.
• 4x USB 2.0 Type-B Host Ports: Two USB connections per host (4 total on the host side) carry keyboard, mouse, and CAC reader traffic separately. This isolation architecture — keeping USB paths discrete per host — is central to the NIAP 4.0 anti-tamper and anti-cross-contamination design.
• 3x USB 2.0 Type-A Console Ports: Three downstream USB ports on the console side give you enough connections for a full keyboard, mouse, and CAC reader simultaneously without a hub. Hubs are generally discouraged in secure KVM deployments; having three native ports removes that pressure.
• Dual Stereo Audio Switching: Two 3.5mm stereo pairs (one per host) and a single 3.5mm console output handle audio switching alongside video and USB. Useful in voice-communication or AV-enabled workstation deployments where audio must also follow the active channel.
• Operating Temperature 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F): Covers standard conditioned office and operations center environments. Not rated for industrial temperature extremes — plan accordingly if the installation space is subject to HVAC outages or elevated ambient heat.
• 3-Year Manufacturer Warranty: Three years of coverage on a desk-mounted peripheral is standard for commercial-grade hardware in this class. Relevant for lifecycle cost planning on multi-year government contracts.

Integration and Compatibility

The CK4-D102C (often searched as CK4 D102C) connects two computers to a single DVI monitor, USB keyboard, USB mouse, and audio output. Each host requires one DVI-I cable, two USB Type-B cables (keyboard/mouse and CAC), and one 3.5mm audio cable — all routed to the switch's host-side connectors. The console side presents one DVI-I output, three USB Type-A ports, and one 3.5mm audio jack.

Because the video interface is DVI-I, compatibility extends to any monitor with a DVI-D or DVI-I input. Adapters to HDMI or DisplayPort can work but are not part of the certified configuration — verify with your security officer whether adapter use affects NIAP compliance standing in your specific accreditation context.

For environments already using a secure KVM infrastructure, the CK4-D102C slots into a 2-host, 1-monitor desktop layout. If your deployment involves more hosts or multiple monitors, review the broader StarTech secure KVM line for higher port-count variants before committing to this model.

Physical dimensions are 8.8 x 6.7 x 2.6 inches (224 x 170 x 67mm) with a weight of 3.9 lbs — a desk footprint comparable to a small external drive enclosure. It sits flat on a desk surface; no rack-mount ears are included in the standard configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What NIAP certification level does the CK4-D102C hold?

A: The CK4-D102C is certified to NIAP Protection Profile for Peripheral Sharing Switches version 4.0, the current and most stringent standard for secure KVM switches used on classified U.S. government networks.

Q: Does the CK4-D102C support CAC (Common Access Card) authentication?

A: Yes. The CK4-D102C includes a dedicated CAC port that passes smart card authentication to the active host, eliminating the need for separate card readers at each connected computer.

Q: What is the maximum video resolution supported?

A: The CK4-D102C supports up to 2560x1600 at 60Hz over its DVI-I video interface, suitable for high-resolution wide-format monitors used in command center and analytical workstation environments.

Q: How many computers can the CK4-D102C connect?

A: It connects 2 computers (hosts) to a single console consisting of one DVI monitor, up to three USB peripherals, and one audio output.

Q: What is the warranty on the CK4-D102C?

A: StarTech covers the CK4-D102C with a 3-year manufacturer warranty.

Q: Is the CK4-D102C manufactured in the USA?

A: Yes. The CK4-D102C is manufactured in the USA, which is a relevant procurement factor for federal contracts with domestic origin requirements.

Marty Allison

The CK4-D102C lands in a very specific procurement lane: two-host secure desktop switching with NIAP PP 4.0 sign-off, DVI video, and CAC pass-through in a USA-made metal enclosure. That combination clears the bar for a substantial portion of classified workstation refresh projects I see come through federal integrators. If your accreditation package calls out PP 4.0 specifically — and most current DoD and IC site security plans do — this switch is one of the shorter lists you'll be choosing from.

Technical Highlights:

• NIAP PP 4.0: The current top-tier certification for peripheral sharing switches. PP 3.0 devices won't pass current procurement review on classified networks — PP 4.0 is the mandatory floor for new installations in most U.S. federal environments as of this writing.
• 2560x1600 @ 60Hz DVI-I: Drives a single wide-format display at full WQUXGA resolution. Relevant for analysts running high-density geospatial or intelligence imagery where pixel count per screen matters more than frame rate.
• 4x USB 2.0 Type-B host ports (2 per host): Separate USB paths per host is an architectural requirement of NIAP PP 4.0 — it prevents any shared USB bus that could theoretically pass data between domains. Don't expect to simplify this wiring; the discrete cabling is the security control.

Deployment Considerations:

• Each host requires three physical cable runs: one DVI-I, two USB Type-B, and one 3.5mm audio. Budget time for cable management at the desk — six host-side cables plus console cables in a confined workspace gets cluttered fast. A cable management tray under the desk surface is worth specifying alongside this unit.
• Operating temperature ceiling is 40°C (104°F). In facilities with intermittent HVAC or equipment rooms that run warm, verify ambient conditions before signing off on the installation location. This is a desktop device, not rated for elevated-temp equipment enclosures.

For a two-person cleared workstation environment — think a SCIF analyst cell where each operator switches between a classified and unclassified system on the same desk — the CK4-D102C is a clean, compliant fit. It handles the switching, the CAC reader pass-through, and the audio in a single certified unit without requiring additional USB hubs or adapters that would complicate the accreditation documentation.