Persistent Systems’ Embedded Module, which is a low-size, -weight and -power mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) unit for sensors and unmanned vehicles, has received a Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 Level 2 security validation from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Persistent says that the achievement confirms that all of its main products have achieved this level of validation, which in turn increases usability for users with nonnegotiable requirements for FIPS 140-2 Level 2.

With this new FIPS 140-2 Level 2 validation, the Embedded Module meets its Level 1 cryptographic data security requirement. It also has in place physical security mechanisms—such as tamper-evidence—that allow it to handle sensitive data transmission.

“Now, all of our main products running the Wave Relay MANET routing protocol are FIPS 140-2 Level 2,” explains Eric Stern, Director of Engineering at Persistent Systems.

“This is critical for our customers in the federal government, U.S. military and special operations, who require extremely secure networking.”

Persistent says that its suite of Wave Relay MANET products have been engineered to “meet information assurance requirements in any use case,” whether it’s a person carrying an MPU5 or an Embedded Module built into a UAS, UGV, or sensor. This is extremely important for Wave Relay Ecosystem partners who have equipped their products with Wave Relay MANET radios, and are competing for government programs with FIPS requirements.

The Wave Relay Ecosystem is an “alliance of industry-leading companies that develop and build products connected via the Wave Relay MANET,” Persistent notes.

Persistent says that its products have consistently met strict security requirements, as every product has achieved both Level 1 and Level 2 FIPS 140-2 validation.

Persistent’s principal product, the handheld MPU5 MANET radio, received its FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Security validation in July.

The Embedded Module, now likewise validated, delivers the same data networking capabilities as the MPU5, except in a smaller form factor, which can be built into an UAS, ground robot or sensor.

“This validation marks the Embedded Module as the go-to Wave Relay MANET integrator for all systems and sensors,” Stern says.