What Is CSfC?
NSA’s Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) program enables the use of commercial, standards-based encryption implemented in two independent layers to protect classified data. CSfC gives defense programs a faster, more flexible path to deploy secure systems without waiting for custom cryptographic hardware.
Common Criteria (CC) is an international standard (ISO/IEC 15408) for evaluating and certifying IT security, providing a structured way to define, test, and validate security functions against agreed protection profiles. For certain technologies, the CSfC program mandates that specific, selectable requirements be included in the Common Criteria evaluation to ensure the product meets the relevant NIAP-approved protection profiles.
CSfC and CC are ideal for missions that require:
- Rapid fielding
- Coalition interoperability
- Commercial hardware/software agility
- Lower SWaP and cost compared to High Assurance Type 1 solutions
- Secure operations across untrusted networks
Why CSfC Matters in Today’s Battlespace
Modern missions navigate high-risk environments and harsh conditions, generating unprecedented volumes of data from ISR feeds and sensor payloads, to mission intel and flight logs. That data can then traverse diverse networks such as tactical radios, SATCOM links, cloud gateways, and coalition environments that are often congested, intermittent, or untrusted.
NSA-approved CSfC dual-layer encryption provides robust protection for mission data, without sacrificing performance or deployment speed. By integrating independent hardware and software full drive encryption, critical mission data remains secure, whether a platform is lost, captured, or deployed within mixed-trust coalition networks.
Curtiss-Wright’s CSfC Advantage
End-to-end data protection & secure connectivity ensure mission data remains safe, reliable, & accessible wherever it goes.
Mission Protection Without Tradeoffs
NSA Approved Dual Layer Encryption
- Two independent commercial encryption layers
- Approved for classified data under NSA CSfC guidelines
- Protects data-at-rest, data-in-motion, and data-in-use
Rugged, Mission Ready Implementations
- Network attached storage with dual-layer CSfC encryption for ISR, autonomy, and high volume sensor data
- Removable, rugged storage for rapid data transfer
- SWaP optimized networking and communications
Faster Deployment & Accreditation
CSfC slashes integration and certification timelines compared to custom crypto solutions. As a cornerstone of the NSA’s strategy, CSfC leverages properly configured, layered commercial products to deliver fast, secure protection for classified data. Detailed NSA Capability Packages and strict requirements ensure approved products meet the toughest standards.
Seamless Integration with TrustedCOTS
CSfC encryption pairs with TrustedCOTS hardware rooted security to protect algorithms, mission software, and AI/ML workloads.
Ideal for Coalition & Global Operations
Because CSfC uses commercial cryptography, it supports:
- Coalition interoperability
- Export-friendly, ITAR-free security for classified data
- Multi domain, multi nation operations
Use Cases
Secure data exchange across multinational networks.
Lightweight, SWaP optimized data-at-rest storage for autonomous platforms.
Secure data in motion between edge sensors and mission computers.
Tactical Cloud & Forward Deployed Nodes
Protect data-at-rest and data in-motion in mobile or disconnected environments.
The Curtiss-Wright Security Advantage
Curtiss-Wright provides a unified security architecture that spans processing, networking, storage, communications, and supply chain assurance. This ecosystem integrates:
End to end protection across processing, networking, storage, and communications.
Endorsed by the NSA for securing classified and sensitive U.S. Government information when appropriately keyed.
Our TrustedCOTS products provide confidence in the security and un-compromised protections.
Curtiss-Wright goes the extra mile to protect supply chain and manufacturing processes.