Hughes Network Systems has received Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 Security Level 1 validation for its Spaceway Crypto Kernel (HSCK) from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Hughes announced June 29.
   The validation is a cryptographic hardware and software accreditation. The HSCK is a common cryptographic engine employed by the Hughes HN9500 satellite terminal and the Ka-band Spaceway 3 access gateway for secure communications.
   “This important cryptographic accreditation further leverages the advanced capabilities of our award winning Spaceway 3 satellite system and associated Inter-Government Crisis Network (IGCN) to deliver highly reliable and secure broadband connectivity, which is particularly important for government disaster communications,” Hughes Assistant Vice President for Government Solutions Tony Bardo said in a statement. “Utilizing Spaceway 3’s unique on-board switching and routing, the Hughes IGCN solution is designed to help agencies meet their emergency communications needs for continuity of operations planning and emergency preparedness.”