Hack of U.S. Central Command Social Media Emphasizes Importance of PESA's JITC Approved Video Distribution System


Huntsville, Alabama – On Jan. 12, the Twitter and YouTube accounts of U.S. military’s Central Command were hacked, apparently by a group of Islamic State supporters called CyberCaliphate. PESA, a leading designer and manufacturer of streaming solutions as well as professional audio and video distribution products, today announced its U.S. Department of Defense approved Video Distribution System (VDS) is a closed system that avoids issues associated with hacking, intrusion, denial of service, malware, and network-based attacks.



According to a military statement, CENTCOM viewed the CyberCaliphate event as cybervandalism. While a closed system is not designed to stop a cyberattack, the PESA VDS, when used in an approved architecture, provides a level of physical separation that is not available in Web-based, cloud-based, or network distributed video.



“The hack was contained quickly, but the hacker was still able to post messages, videos, and military documents before the social media accounts were suspended. And while no sensitive information appears to have been compromised, the CENTCOM hack should serve as a wake-up call for government agencies,” explained Col. John T. Wright (U.S. Army, Retired), PESA senior vice president, sales and business development. “PESA provides mission critical routing for numerous military and intelligence operations, and a closed video distribution system ensures critical video feeds are uninterrupted during cyberattacks.”



PESA, the first company to achieve listing on the Department of Defense Unified Capabilities (UC) Approved Products List (APL) as a VDS, remains the industry leader for large-scale VDS solutions. The products received Interoperability Certification (IOC) and Information Assurance (IA) accreditation from DISA’s Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC), which certifies joint and combined interoperability of all DoD information technology and national security systems. Already deployed by branches of the U.S. military and NASA, PESA’s VDS includes several products in its Cheetah large-scale digital router product line, media conversion and extender modules, and remote control panels.



About PESA

As a leading provider of audio/video (A/V) Baseband and IP connectivity products, PESA offers a wide selection of multi-path streaming products, routing switchers, matrix switchers, extenders, converters, media extenders, and signal processing gear to support government, military, industrial, commercial, medical, broadcast, and mobile truck applications. From large to small-scale A/V routing and extender products to multiple IP streaming appliances, PESA offers a diverse suite of AV products, all of which are supported by 24/7 technical support. PESA is located in Huntsville, Ala., with regional sales offices throughout North America and China. Our cost effective solutions are available around the world through our industry leading team of Channel Partners offering local support and installation. Learn more about us at www.pesa.com.



Press Contact

Mark J. Pescatore

Pipeline Communications

561-531-3106

mark@pipecomm.com



Company Contact

John T. Wright

SVP, Sales Business Development

256-726-9200

jwright@pesa.com



Contact information:

Robin Hoffman

Pipeline Communications

277 Valley Way

Montclair, NJ 70421655

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