StarTech CK4-P204 4-Port Dual-Monitor NIAP PSD 4.0 Secure KVM Switch

Overview

The StarTech CK4-P204 is a NIAP Protection Profile for Peripheral Sharing Device (PSD) Version 4.0 certified KVM switch designed for environments where USB peripheral isolation and controlled multi-host access are non-negotiable — think classified government facilities, defense contractors, financial compliance environments, and air-gapped network operations centers. It supports four connected hosts, two DisplayPort monitors simultaneously, and delivers up to 4K 60Hz across both displays. The CK4-P204 (often searched as CK4 P204) is not a commodity KVM — it is purpose-built for high-security deployments where standard switches create unacceptable data leakage risk.

Key Features

• NIAP PSD 4.0 Certification: The CK4-P204 meets the Protection Profile for Peripheral Sharing Devices Version 4.0 — currently the most stringent U.S. government security standard for KVM switches. This certification is required for use in classified or government-regulated environments and is increasingly demanded by defense primes and federal contractors. Without it, a KVM switch cannot be approved for connecting workstations operating at different classification levels.
• Four Isolated KVM Ports: Four independent host connections let an operator control four separate computers from a single console — each port maintained in strict isolation to prevent cross-channel data transfer. This is the core security architecture: no shared memory, no USB bridging, and no opportunity for one host to inspect traffic destined for another.
• Dual DisplayPort Outputs at 4K 60Hz: Both monitors run simultaneously at full 4K 60Hz resolution across all four host positions. Eight 20-pin DisplayPort female connectors (two per host) handle the video side, meaning you get full desktop real estate on each display without downsampling when you switch hosts. For analysts who depend on side-by-side application windows, this matters.
• USB 2.0 Console Interface: Two USB 2.0 Type-A ports serve the console side for keyboard and mouse. The USB interface is tightly controlled per NIAP PSD 4.0 requirements — HID-only device classes are permitted, preventing unauthorized USB storage or network adapters from being bridged across hosts.
• Metal Enclosure — 4.2 lb, Rack-Friendly Footprint: The all-metal chassis (12.6 in × 6.7 in × 2.7 in, 4.2 lb) is built to sit on a desk or in a secured equipment rack without flex or RF concerns. Metal construction also supports the shielding requirements typical of TEMPEST-adjacent secure environments.
• Maximum Cable Run of 19.7 ft (6 m): DisplayPort cable runs up to 6 meters are supported, giving enough reach to place the KVM in a locked equipment cabinet while keeping displays and peripherals at the operator workstation — a common physical security architecture in SCIFs and secure NOCs.
• Operating Temperature 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F): Rated for standard office and data center ambient conditions. Not designed for industrial or outdoor environments — it belongs in a climate-controlled secure operations room, which is exactly where it will be deployed.
• PC Interface via USB: Host-side connection uses USB, keeping cabling straightforward for integrators. Combined with DisplayPort video, each host requires only a USB cable and two DisplayPort cables — a manageable cable count even in a four-host, dual-display configuration.

Integration and Compatibility

The CK4-P204 is a hardware-enforced device — there is no software driver stack, no network management interface, and no firmware update path that could introduce a software attack surface. This is intentional and required by NIAP PSD 4.0. Compatibility centers on the physical interface: any host running a standard OS with USB HID support and DisplayPort video output will connect. The switch handles keyboard, mouse, and dual-monitor video — nothing else crosses the isolation boundary. Integrators specifying this switch for secure KVM deployments should verify that all four host machines have available USB ports and dual DisplayPort outputs before ordering. Hosts using DisplayPort via USB-C or Thunderbolt will need active adapters, which are not included. For broader StarTech peripheral sharing and connectivity solutions, this switch represents the top of the security hierarchy in the KVM product line. Buyers comparing KVM options should also review NIAP-certified KVM switches as a category to understand where PSD 4.0 fits relative to PSD 3.0 and non-certified models. If you are specifying power delivery alongside this switch, review compatible power distribution and UPS options for your secure workstation cluster. For cable management in a multi-host environment, a structured DisplayPort cable kit rated to the 6-meter maximum will keep the installation clean and within spec.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What NIAP certification does the CK4-P204 carry?

A: The CK4-P204 is certified to NIAP Protection Profile for Peripheral Sharing Device (PSD) Version 4.0 — the current highest-level U.S. government standard for KVM switches used to share peripherals between hosts operating at different security classification levels.

Q: How many monitors and hosts does the CK4-P204 support?

A: The CK4-P204 supports four host computers and two DisplayPort monitors simultaneously. Each host position has two DisplayPort connections (eight 20-pin DisplayPort female connectors total on the host side), and both displays remain active at up to 4K 60Hz regardless of which host is selected.

Q: What is the maximum display resolution supported by the CK4-P204?

A: The switch supports a maximum resolution of 4K at 60Hz on both monitors simultaneously. This applies across all four host connections.

Q: What USB devices can be used with the CK4-P204?

A: The console interface provides two USB 2.0 Type-A ports. Per NIAP PSD 4.0 requirements, only USB HID-class devices (keyboard, mouse) are permitted — USB storage drives, network adapters, and other non-HID devices will not pass through. This restriction is a security control, not a limitation to work around.

Q: What is the maximum DisplayPort cable length supported?

A: The CK4-P204 supports DisplayPort cable runs up to 19.7 feet (6 meters). Longer passive cables risk signal degradation at 4K 60Hz — use active cables or fiber extenders if your physical installation requires greater distance.

Q: Is the CK4-P204 suitable for a SCIF or classified environment?

A: NIAP PSD 4.0 certification is specifically designed to meet the requirements of environments handling classified information, including SCIFs (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities). Whether the CK4-P204 is approved for a specific facility depends on that facility's accreditation authority — consult your AO or system integrator for site-specific approval guidance.

Jerry Tildsen

The spec that defines everything about the CK4-P204 is right at the top of the sheet: NIAP PSD 4.0 certification. That single line tells me this is a hardware-enforced isolation device, not a managed switch with security features bolted on. When I'm specifying KVM infrastructure for a four-seat secure operations center where two of those seats handle different data classification levels, the CK4-P204 is the conversation — not a standard desktop KVM with a password prompt.

Technical Highlights:

• NIAP PSD 4.0: The highest current certification tier for peripheral sharing devices — required by many U.S. government and defense contractor environments. Not all secure KVMs carry PSD 4.0; confirm this version specifically when responding to government RFPs.
• Dual 4K 60Hz DisplayPort: Eight 20-pin DisplayPort female connectors (two per host, four hosts) deliver full 4K 60Hz to both monitors simultaneously — no resolution penalty when switching between hosts. Analysts with complex multi-application workflows will not be working around a downsampled display.
• 6-Meter Maximum Cable Run: The 19.7-foot cable limit gives enough slack to place the KVM inside a locked cabinet while running cables to a standard desk setup — the physical separation that secure facility designs typically require between the switching hardware and the operator position.

Deployment Considerations:

• Each of the four hosts needs dual DisplayPort outputs and a USB port — verify your workstation specs before finalizing the BOM. Hosts with only one DisplayPort or using USB-C/Thunderbolt for video will need active adapters, and those add cost and a potential certification question for your AO.
• The USB HID-only restriction on the console ports is non-negotiable by design. Do not spec this switch for environments where operators need to transfer files via USB — that workflow requires a different, separately-approved data transfer solution. The CK4-P204 does one thing: secure KVM switching.

This switch belongs in four-operator secure NOCs, intelligence community workstations, and defense contractor facilities where the accreditation authority requires NIAP PSD 4.0 on the approved products list. It is not the right pick for a standard enterprise IT helpdesk environment — but if your deployment brief includes the words 'classification level' or 'SCIF,' start here.