Cigent protects data on devices operating at the edge from unauthorized access. Cigent solutions secures data at rest with layered protection including hardware encryption, pre-boot authentication, and multifactor authentication. Cigent also ensures data integrity when the device is in use preventing wiping and cloning and other data attacks.

Pre-Boot Authentication

Q: How does Cigent work?

To prevent sophisticated adversaries from unauthorized access requires layered protection. The foundation of Cigent solution is 256-AES full drive hardware encryption with pre-boot and multifactor authentication. These capabilities have been validated by agencies including NSA and NIAP. Additionally, Cigent provides capabilities that ensure the integrity of data through its lifecycle including hidden partitions, storage-embedded AI, and verified data erasure.

Q: What is data-at-rest encryption?

Data at rest encryption traditionally refers to the encryption of data when the device is asleep or powered-off. Data at rest encryption seeks to prevent adversaries who gain physical access to the device would seek to extract sensitive data. Cigent uses AES 256 full drive hardware encryption with pre-boot and multifactor authentication. In addition, Cigent uses zero-trust access to control to also protect data when a device is in use. This is with hidden partitions that maintain encryption until it is accessed with step-up authentication.

Q: What is pre-boot authentication?

Pre-boot authentication (PBA), also known as power-on authentication, is a security feature that requires users to authenticate before their device boots up. PBA is a layered approach that protects devices and data from offline attacks and cyberattacks. It’s often used with full disk encryption (FDE), where users must authenticate to boot the system and restore data. Cigent PBA has been tested and validated by leading organizations including NSA, DISA, NIST, and NIAP.

Q: What devices does Cigent protect with hard drive encryption?

Cigent provides the widest breadth of secure storage solutions all utilizing hardware encryption. These includes: PCs supporting both M.2 2280 and the emerging M.2 2230 standard, remote servers and NAS devices with U.2 drives, external media with flash drives, encrypted external drives, SD and Micro SD cards, and embedded for SSD BGA.

Q: Does Cigent help with certifications?

Yes, Cigent Secure Storage Solutions can support organizations meeting Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) for data at rest including pre-boot authentication requirements. Cigent solutions can also meet FIPS 140-2 and 140-3 standards. Additionally, Cigent can address requirements from Executive Order 14028 including encryption of data at rest, multi-factor authentication, and the utilization of zero-trust access control. Cigent protections have been thoroughly tested and validated by leading Federal agencies including MITRE, NIST, NSA, NIAP, the Air Force, Cyber Resilience of Weapon Systems (CROWS), and NSSIF (UK).

Cigent PBA is specifically designed to meet stringent federal security mandates, ensuring comprehensive protection for classified and sensitive information against unauthorized access and potential breaches.

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Outer Layer CSfC for DAR Solution

Self-encrypting drives (SEDs) are often assumed to protect data automatically, but they provide no security on their own. Without enforced authentication, SEDs decrypt as soon as a system powers on, leaving sensitive information exposed. Cigent Pre-Boot Authentication (PBA) closes this gap by requiring authentication before the operating system loads, keeping drives locked until authorized access is granted. As the foundation of the outer protection layer in CSfC Data-at-Rest architectures, Cigent PBA pairs hardware full-drive encryption with a secure, OS-independent environment to ensure stored data remains protected, even if devices are lost, unattended, or in the field.

Required Protection

Cigent Pre-Boot Authentication (PBA) provides a separate, secure authentication environment before the operating system boots, significantly reducing system vulnerabilities and unauthorized access risks.

Meet CSfC DAR Requirements

Cigent Pre-Boot Authentication (PBA) with certified Hardware Full Drive Encryption (HW FDE) provides NSA CSfC-compliant outer-layer encryption required by the NSA’s Data at Rest (DAR) Capability Package.

Multi-Factor Authentication Ready

Supports single and multiple authentication factors, including username/password, smartcards (PIV), and Security Keys, ensuring comprehensive and robust authentication aligned with federal standards.

Independent Layered Protection

Operates independently from software encryption solutions, ensuring the cryptographic and functional isolation mandated by CSfC architectural requirements.

Administration at Scale

Cigent's command-line interface (CLI) utility provides management of PBA with ability to integrate into existing enterprise management.

Wide Device Compatibility

Supports deployment on various endpoints including Intel/AMD/ARM (NVIDIA Jetson Orin) laptops, desktops, workstations, and servers.

Advanced Data Protection

Comprehensive Encryption and Authentication Solutions

Hardware Full Drive Encryption (HW FDE) combined with PBA. This is the outer layer of the dual-layer encryption approach mandated by the Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) Data-at-Rest (DAR) program and provides the first layer of defense. It includes:

AES-256 Hardware EncryptionProvides robust encryption, safeguarding keys from interception.
Pre-Boot Authentication (PBA)Secure login before the operating system loads, defending against boot-level threats.

How Cigent PBA Protects your Data

Cigent PBA safeguards sensitive data through robust hardware-based encryption, enforcing pre-boot authentication requirements as mandated by the NSA CSfC DAR Capability Package. This ensures compliance and protection of mission-critical data at rest.

Device Powered Off
All data remains encrypted, unreadable, and inaccessible.
Pre-boot Authentication
Upon powering on the device, authentication via supported methods, including username/password, smartcards (PIV), or Security Keys, is required before the operating system boot sequence, establishing secure access controls before any data is decrypted.
Authentication Boot
Once authentication is successful, the operating system boots, and the drive’s encrypted data becomes accessible to the authorized user.

The Cigent Advantage

Cigent solutions were designed and developed with and for US Intelligence and Defense communities. All employees, including Cigent software development, are based in the US. The team includes multiple personnel with TS/SCI clearance with decades of data protection and operational experience to support your requirements.

Cigent solutions have been tested and validated by leading Federal agencies including MITRE, NIST, NSA, NIAP, the Air Force, Cyber Resilience of Weapon Systems (CROWS), and NSSIF (UK) and are deployed across US Intelligence agencies, US Defense services, and the defense industrial base.

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Protect Your Data at Rest

Cigent is prepared to support your mission, navigating the complex compliance requirements to protect data at the edge. Its solutions were developed for and with US Federal agencies with deep expertise in data protection. Read our extensive eBook to learn more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cigent do?

How does Cigent work?

What is data-at-rest encryption?

What is pre-boot authentication?

What devices does Cigent protect with hard drive encryption?

Does Cigent help with certifications?

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