E.F. Johnson Viking VM600 Series, Operating Manual

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8-2 Viking VM600 Mobile Radio Operating Manual
Secure Communication (Encryption)
8.1.2 AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)
An encryption standard called AES is replacing DES-OFB encryption on digital (P25)
channels. It uses a 128-, 192-, or 256-bit encryption key instead of the 64-bit key used with
DES. EFJohnson Technologies radios currently support only 256-bit AES keys. The type
of encryption (DES or AES) is determined by the type of encryption key that is loaded (see
Section 8.2), and not by the Armada programming software. AES encryption, like DES
encryption, is an optional radio feature that must be purchased and then enabled at the
factory (or by a factory-created option file).
8.1.3 Encryption Available With Various Channel Types
Analog Channels - On analog conventional and SMARTNET/SmartZone channels, DES
encryption provides secure communication.
Digital Channels - On digital Project 25 and SMARTNET/Smart Zone channels, the
DES-OFB or AES-OFB protocol is used.
8.1.4 FIPS and Non-FIPS Modes
FIPS 140-2 is a Federal Information Processing Standard for encrypted radios used by the
Federal Government. This standard specifies Federal security requirements for
cryptographic modules for a wide range of applications and environments. All Viking
VM600 models are FIPS certified.
8.2 Encryption Keys
An encryption key is a cryptographic variable that is required by the encryption algorithm
to encrypt and decrypt voice or data. To maintain system security, these keys must be
protected from disclosure and also periodically replaced or updated.
With the AES and DES encryption used by EFJohnson Technologies radios (see Section
8.1), the same encryption key is used by both the encrypting (sending) and decrypting
(receiving) radio. AES encryption keys are generated from a string of 64 hexadecimal
characters, and DES keys are generated from a string of 16 hexadecimal characters.
Another four hexadecimal characters are used to specify the key ID. Multiple keys can be
loaded into a radio using OTAR or manual loading.
Draft 4/29/2014