StarTech CK4-PS104C Secure 4-Port Dual-Monitor KVM Switch with DisplayPort 4K 60Hz

Overview

The StarTech CK4-PS104C is a NIAP Protection Profile for Peripheral Sharing Devices (PSD) 4.0 certified, 4-port secure KVM switch built for environments where classified or sensitive network separation is non-negotiable. It supports two DisplayPort outputs at up to 4K 60Hz resolution and connects up to four host computers — making it a purpose-built solution for government workstations, defense contractors, intelligence facilities, and any enterprise security operations center that enforces strict air-gap or cross-domain policies. This is not a commodity KVM; the NIAP PSD 4.0 certification means it has passed rigorous independent laboratory evaluation for data isolation, making it suitable for controlled environments where USB data leakage between hosts would represent a compliance failure. If you need a secure KVM switch that satisfies federal procurement requirements, the CK4-PS104C belongs on the shortlist.

Key Features

• NIAP PSD 4.0 Certification: This is the critical differentiator. NIAP (National Information Assurance Partnership) PSD 4.0 is the current U.S. government standard for peripheral sharing devices in classified environments. Without this certification, a KVM cannot legally be used in many federal, DoD, or intelligence community deployments. The CK4-PS104C carries this certification, which means it has been independently tested for channel isolation, anti-tamper, and data path security — not just self-declared compliant.
• Dual DisplayPort Outputs at 4K 60Hz: Both console monitor connections run DisplayPort and support 4K at 60Hz — full-frame, no compromise. For analysts working across classified and unclassified domains simultaneously, running two 4K displays means each host can drive a full-resolution workspace. Dropping to 30Hz or lower resolution is not a tradeoff you face here.
• 4-Port Host Connectivity: Four host computers connect simultaneously, each via a dedicated 20-pin DisplayPort Female connector on the host side. This covers the common 2-network (classified + unclassified) plus 2-reserve configuration without requiring a second unit or daisy-chaining.
• 8x USB 2.0 Type-B Host Ports: Each of the four hosts gets two USB 2.0 Type-B connections on the host side, supporting keyboard and mouse sharing with hardware-enforced isolation between ports. The USB paths are optically isolated per NIAP PSD 4.0 requirements — data cannot traverse from one host USB channel to another through the switch.
• Console Interface — USB and Audio: The operator-side console provides three USB 2.0 Type-A ports (keyboard, mouse, and one additional HID device), two DisplayPort outputs, and a 3.5mm stereo audio jack. The audio switching is also isolated per host — four 3.5mm stereo female jacks on the host side mean each computer has its own dedicated audio path, not a shared bus.
• Up to 19.7 ft (6m) Cable Runs: The maximum supported cable length is 6 meters, giving you enough reach to separate the KVM chassis from the operator console in rack or under-desk installations without signal degradation at 4K 60Hz. Keep cable runs within this limit — exceeding it risks dropped frames or handshake failures at high resolution.
• Metal Construction, USA-Made: The chassis is full metal — not plastic — and manufactured in the United States. TAA-compliant by origin, which satisfies the Trade Agreements Act requirement for federal procurement. At 3.9 lb (1.8 kg) and 12.6 x 6.7 x 1.8 inches, it sits cleanly on a desktop or can be rack-shelf mounted without consuming a full rack unit.
• Operating Temperature 0°C to 40°C: Rated for standard conditioned office and data center environments. This is not an industrial-hardened device — it belongs in climate-controlled spaces, consistent with its target deployment in government buildings and secure operations centers.
• 3-Year Warranty: StarTech backs the CK4-PS104C with a 3-year manufacturer warranty, which is standard for commercial KVM hardware at this class and appropriate for the procurement cycles typical in government and enterprise environments.

Integration and Compatibility

The CK4-PS104C (often searched as CK4 PS104C) connects to any host system with a DisplayPort video output and standard USB 2.0 Type-B ports — covering the vast majority of current-generation workstations and servers used in secure environments. The console side uses industry-standard USB 2.0 Type-A for HID devices and DisplayPort for monitors, so no proprietary peripherals are required. Audio integration uses standard 3.5mm stereo — compatible with most government-issue headsets and speakers without adapters.

Because this is a NIAP-certified secure KVM switch, it cannot be used as a general-purpose KVM replacement in non-secure environments where users expect USB storage pass-through or arbitrary USB device support. The NIAP PSD 4.0 spec intentionally restricts USB device classes to HID only — keyboards, mice, and approved input devices. USB flash drives, webcams, and non-HID peripherals will not pass through, by design. If your use case requires USB storage sharing, this is the wrong device — but if your use case requires NIAP compliance, that restriction is the point.

Pair the CK4-PS104C with DisplayPort-capable 4K monitors and a compliant keyboard and mouse for a complete secure workstation build. For multi-user deployments, review your facility's NIAP-approved peripheral list before selecting input devices, as some keyboards require evaluation against the same PSD profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What NIAP certification does the CK4-PS104C carry?

A: The CK4-PS104C is certified to NIAP Protection Profile for Peripheral Sharing Devices (PSD) version 4.0 — the current U.S. government standard for secure KVM switches used in classified and sensitive compartmented environments.

Q: Does the CK4-PS104C support 4K resolution on both monitors simultaneously?

A: Yes. The console side provides two DisplayPort outputs, both capable of driving displays at up to 4K 60Hz. Both monitors can run at full 4K 60Hz at the same time.

Q: Can I use USB storage devices through the CK4-PS104C?

A: No. NIAP PSD 4.0 certification requires that USB device class support be restricted to HID devices (keyboards, mice, and approved input devices). USB storage, webcams, and other non-HID peripherals are blocked by design to prevent data leakage between hosts.

Q: Is the CK4-PS104C TAA compliant?

A: Yes. The CK4-PS104C is manufactured in the United States, which satisfies the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) country-of-origin requirement for federal government procurement.

Q: What is the maximum cable length supported?

A: StarTech specifies a maximum cable length of 19.7 feet (6 meters) for the CK4-PS104C. Exceeding this distance risks signal degradation, especially at 4K 60Hz.

Q: What is the warranty on the CK4-PS104C?

A: The CK4-PS104C carries a 3-year manufacturer warranty.

Marty Allison

The spec that sets the CK4-PS104C apart from every generic KVM on the market is the NIAP PSD 4.0 certification — and I want to be direct about what that actually means for procurement. This isn't a marketing badge; it's a passing grade from an accredited laboratory that tested this unit specifically for channel isolation, USB class filtering, and anti-tamper response. If your facility security officer or contracting officer requires a NIAP-evaluated peripheral sharing device, the CK4-PS104C is one of a limited number of units that qualify under the current PSD 4.0 profile.

Technical Highlights:

• NIAP PSD 4.0: Evaluated under the current U.S. government protection profile for peripheral sharing devices — required for classified network environments where cross-domain data leakage must be provably prevented, not just assumed.
• Dual 4K 60Hz DisplayPort: Both console display outputs run full 4K at 60Hz simultaneously — no resolution compromise and no frame-rate throttling when both monitors are active. For analysts managing high-density data across two classified networks, this matters.
• 8x USB 2.0 Type-B Host Ports: Two isolated USB paths per host, hardware-enforced — not software-filtered. Combined with HID-only class restriction, this eliminates the USB exfiltration vector that makes standard KVMs unacceptable in secure environments.

Deployment Considerations:

• Plan cable runs carefully — the 6-meter (19.7 ft) maximum cable length is firm at 4K 60Hz. If your workstation is rack-mounted and the console is at an operator desk, measure before ordering cables.
• USB storage pass-through is not available and cannot be enabled — this is a compliance requirement of PSD 4.0, not a firmware limitation. Brief end users before deployment to avoid support tickets on day one.

The CK4-PS104C is the right call for a dual-monitor, four-host secure workstation in a SCIF, DoD facility, or any government office environment that has received direction to use only NIAP PSD 4.0 evaluated KVM hardware. It is not the right call for a creative studio or developer workstation where USB peripheral flexibility matters — those deployments need a different device entirely.