StarTech CK4-HP102C 2-Port Secure KVM Switch with HDMI and DisplayPort

Overview

The StarTech CK4-HP102C is a 2-port secure KVM switch designed for high-security environments where operators need to switch between two computers — one running DisplayPort, one running HDMI — on a single console without physically disconnecting peripherals. With NIAP Protection Profile for Peripheral Sharing Devices version 4.0 certification, this unit meets the compliance bar required by government agencies, defense contractors, and regulated enterprise environments. If you're configuring a dual-host workstation in a classified or sensitive-data context, the CK4-HP102C (often searched as CK4 HP102C) is purpose-built for exactly that use case. For a broader view of KVM switches including multi-monitor and high-port-count options, the full category is worth reviewing before you commit to a 2-port solution.

Key Features

• NIAP PSD 4.0 Certified: This is the current, highest-revision NIAP Protection Profile for peripheral sharing devices. Many government procurement requirements explicitly mandate NIAP PSD 4.0 — older PSD 3.0 units won't pass a compliance review. If your deployment is DoD, IC community, or a contractor handling CUI, this certification is non-negotiable and the CK4-HP102C carries it.
• Dual Video Input Types (DisplayPort + HDMI): The two host-side connections accept 2x DisplayPort and 2x HDMI inputs, so you can switch between a workstation with a DP output and a laptop or secondary machine with HDMI — no adapter chain required. The console side outputs one DisplayPort and one HDMI, giving you flexibility in how you drive your monitor.
• Single-Monitor Console Output: This switch drives one monitor at a time. That's the right architecture for a focused operator workstation or a secure analyst desk — not for dual-screen setups. Pair it with a DisplayPort or HDMI monitor rated for your environment.
• 4x USB 2.0 Type-B Host Ports: Each of the two hosts connects via 2x USB Type-B for keyboard and mouse data. The console side exposes 3x USB Type-A, so a keyboard, mouse, and one additional peripheral (CAC reader, for example) can be shared across both hosts without re-plugging.
• 3.5mm Stereo Audio Switching: Both host connections include 3.5mm stereo audio, and the console carries a matching 3.5mm stereo jack — audio follows the active host. For environments where voice communications or audio alerts matter, the switch handles that without a separate audio selector.
• Metal Enclosure: The all-metal chassis resists physical tampering and RF interference — relevant in secure rooms where plastic enclosures can be considered a physical security gap. At 3.9 lb (1.7 kg) and 8.8 x 6.7 x 2.6 in (223 x 170 x 66 mm), it's desktop-sized but has enough mass to feel deliberate, not disposable.
• Maximum Cable Run of 19.7 ft (6 m): Host machines can be positioned up to 6 meters from the KVM — enough to seat the switch at a desk while the computers live in a nearby rack or secure cabinet. Beyond 6 m, signal integrity is not guaranteed and you'd need to look at extender solutions.
• Operating Temperature 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F): Standard office and data center ambient range. Not rated for industrial or outdoor environments — keep it in a climate-controlled space.

Integration and Compatibility

The CK4-HP102C connects to host systems via standard DisplayPort and HDMI video cables plus USB 2.0 Type-B for HID data — no proprietary cables or drivers required for basic operation. The console side presents standard USB Type-A HID interfaces, so virtually any USB keyboard and mouse will enumerate correctly. Audio pass-through uses standard 3.5mm analog — compatible with any active speaker or headset with a 3.5mm input. For KVM accessories including compatible cables and cable kits, verify cable quality meets the 6 m distance requirement; cheap or thin USB cables can cause HID enumeration issues at longer runs. The NIAP certification means the device has undergone independent laboratory testing for data isolation — no video, audio, or USB data leaks between the two host channels at the hardware level. This matters specifically in multi-classification environments where one host may be on a classified network and the other on unclassified. Before purchasing, confirm your procurement authority accepts NIAP PSD 4.0 specifically; some legacy requirements still cite PSD 3.0 which has a different evaluation scope. See our secure KVM switches page for a comparison of available NIAP-certified models at different port counts and video configurations. If you're building out a complete secure workstation, also consider security-focused peripherals — CAC readers and privacy filters are common additions at NIAP-compliant desks. A KVM switch buying guide is available if you're still evaluating whether a 2-port unit fits your workflow versus a 4-port or IP-KVM approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What NIAP certification level does the CK4-HP102C carry?

A: The CK4-HP102C is certified to NIAP Protection Profile for Peripheral Sharing Devices version 4.0 (PSD 4.0), which is the current revision. This is the level most commonly required by U.S. government and defense procurement today.

Q: Can I connect two DisplayPort computers, or does one host have to be HDMI?

A: The host-side connectors include 2x DisplayPort and 2x HDMI inputs. Each host position uses one video type — one host connects via DisplayPort, the other via HDMI. You cannot connect two DisplayPort-only hosts without an HDMI adapter on the second machine.

Q: Does the CK4-HP102C support dual-monitor output?

A: No. The console output is single-monitor — one DisplayPort output and one HDMI output, but only one monitor is active at a time. This is a single-display KVM. If you need dual-monitor console output, look at a different model in the StarTech secure KVM line.

Q: How many USB peripherals can I share on the console side?

A: The console exposes 3x USB 2.0 Type-A ports, so you can share up to three USB peripherals (keyboard, mouse, and one additional device such as a CAC reader) across both host computers.

Q: What is the warranty on the CK4-HP102C?

A: StarTech provides a 3-year warranty on the CK4-HP102C.

Q: What is the maximum cable distance between the KVM and the host computers?

A: The specified maximum cable length is 19.7 ft (6 m). Running cables beyond this distance is outside the rated specification and may result in signal or HID reliability issues.

Eden Phillips

The spec that drives most procurement decisions for the CK4-HP102C is the NIAP PSD 4.0 certification — not because it's a checkbox item, but because PSD 4.0 specifically mandates hardware-enforced data isolation between host channels, anti-tampering provisions, and anti-keystroke logging controls that earlier revisions did not require at the same rigor. If you're evaluating this switch against a cheaper 2-port unit, that certification gap is the core of the price difference.

Technical Highlights:

• NIAP PSD 4.0: Current-revision certification required by most U.S. federal and DoD procurement; the CK4-HP102C satisfies this without needing supplemental compliance documentation from the integrator side.
• Mixed Video Architecture: 2x DisplayPort + 2x HDMI host inputs with a DP + HDMI console output means you can accommodate a workstation and a laptop on the same KVM without video adapters — a practical win at a two-seat analyst desk.
• 3x USB Type-A Console Ports: Three shared ports is enough for keyboard, mouse, and a CAC/PIV reader simultaneously — the minimum functional set for a classified-environment workstation without adding a USB hub (which would introduce a potential isolation concern at a NIAP deployment).

Deployment Considerations:

• The 6 m (19.7 ft) maximum cable run is generous for most desk-to-rack deployments, but confirm your cable quality — thin 28AWG USB cables at the 5–6 m range can cause intermittent HID dropout, especially with higher-polling-rate keyboards.
• This is a single-monitor KVM. If your analysts run dual-display setups, you'll need a dual-head secure KVM — the CK4-HP102C is not the right fit for that configuration.

Best positioning for this unit: a two-seat classified/unclassified split-network analyst desk in a SCIF or secure operations center where NIAP PSD 4.0 is mandated, one host is a tower workstation on a classified LAN (DP output) and the second is a government-furnished laptop (HDMI output), and the operator needs a single keyboard, mouse, and CAC reader to work both without physically re-patching.