30/07/2003

TEMPEST TECHNOLOGY

“TEMPEST” is a North American Government code word which identifies a classified number of standards to limit the emanations of electrical or electromagnetic radiation from electronic equipment..

Microchips, monitors, printers and all types of electronic devices emit radiation over the air or through conductors (such as wiring or piping). One example of this effect can be seen when using electrical kitchen apparatus while watching TV. The static charge on a TV screen can also cause interference.


During the 50s, the government realised that this form of radiation could be captured and therefore reconstructed. Obviously, the radiation emitted from a food mixer are not important, but those from electronic cryptographic equipment most definitely are. If this radiation were to be recorded, interpreted and then reproduced on similar equipment, it would be quite easy to reveal the information contained in an encrypted message. Further investigation revealed that it was quite possible to capture these emanations at a certain distance and resulted in the establishment of the “TEMPEST” programme.

The purpose of this programme was to introduce standards which would reduce the possibilities of capturing information from data processing, transmission and storage devices. TEMPEST computers and their peripherals (printers, scanners, tape recorders and mice etc.) are basically used by government departments and their contractors to protect data from possible emanations. This is typically carried out by shielding the device (or at times an entire room or even building.

APLEIN INGENIEROS, S.A. has a wide range of equipment available in this field (computers, printers, mice and keyboards) thanks to its agreement with the manufacturer Advanced Programs, Inc (ex DRS API), a world leader in this type of TEMPEST solutions, which makes it your ideal partner, whatever your needs may be.

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