Fortezza
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Fortezza is also a town in Italy, see: Franzensfeste-Fortezza
Mykotronx_Fortezza_card.navy.jpg
Fortezza is an information security system based on a PC Card security token. Each individual who is authorized to see protected information is issued a Fortezza card that stores private keys and other data needed to gain access. It contains an NSA-approved security microprocessor called Capstone (MYK-80) that implements the Skipjack encryption algorithm.
The Fortezza card is becoming wider in use in Government and Military applicaions due to the fact that the cards are interchangable within the many types of equipment that support the Fortezza. Likewise, this means that the parties that program the Fortezza cards are able to program the cards and ship them out so organizations may use them in whatever equipment they need to use it for. This simplfies the process of rekeying equipment for due to Crypto changes, instead of requiring an expensive Key Filler, a technician is able to put a new Fortezza card in the devices PCMCIA slot.
Fortezza was developed for the U.S. Government's ill-fated Clipper chip project, but is widely used by the U.S. Government. The original Fortezza card (KOV-8) is a Type 2 product which means it cannot be used for classified information. The most widely used Type 1 encryption card is the KOV-12 Fortezza card which is used extensively for the Defense Message System, also know as DMS. The KOV-12 is cleared up to TOP SECRET/SCI. A newer version called Fortezza Plus (or KOV-14) uses a Krypton microprocessor that implements stronger, Type 1 encryption and may be used for information classified up to TOP SECRET/SCI.
The Fortezza Plus card is used with NSA's Secure Terminal Equipment voice encryption systems that are replacing the STU-III. It is manufactured by the Mykotronx Corporation and by Spyrus. Each card costs about $240 and are commonly used with card readers sold by Litronic, a division of Saflink.