Physical Assurance for Sensitive Collaboration: How Positive Disconnect Devices Protect Your Conversations

In secure government and defense environments, collaboration technology must balance usability with strict protection of sensitive conversations. CIS Secure’s TSG USB Positive Disconnect (PD) family was developed to meet these requirements—providing physical assurance that microphones, speakers, and USB-connected peripherals are disconnected when not in use.

We often have customers ask about the differences between the PD01, PD02, and PD05 models, and how to determine which best fits their collaboration setup. This article provides a factual overview to help users make an informed decision.

What Positive Disconnect Devices Do

The TSG USB Positive Disconnect series enables secure connection and disconnection of USB audio and video devices (such as headsets, microphones, speakers, and cameras) to a collaboration workstation.

• When the “safe” (green) state is active, all device circuits are physically disconnected from the host PC.
• When switched to “live” (red) by pressing the TSG button, the selected peripherals are enabled for authorized communication sessions.
• After a pre-set period of inactivity, the unit automatically reverts to “safe,” ensuring the system cannot remain unintentionally live.

These devices comply with the intent of the Committee on National Security Systems Instruction (CNSSI) 5000, published by the National Telecommunications Security Working Group (NTSWG), and the TSG requirements for on-hook/off-hook security in classified or sensitive discussion areas.

Differences Between PD01, PD02, and PD05

Each model in the family was designed to support slightly different workstation configurations and user needs. While all provide the same Positive Disconnect functionality and meet TSG intent, the port configuration and form factor vary.

Key Differentiators:

• The PD01 supports a 2-pin 3.5mm analog headset and USB webcam
• The PD02 supports a USB headset AND USB webcam
• The PD01 and the PD02 come with (2) USB-A cables for connectivity and power from the PC.
• The PD05 supports a single pin 3.5mm analog headset OR a USB-A headset along with a USB-A webcam
• The PD05 requires the use of the included 5V AC power supply
• The PD05 comes with a built-in microphone and speakerphone. It can be ordered with the microphone removed for use as a listen-only speakerphone or with the microphone removed AND the speakerphone disabled.
• The PD01, PD02 and PD05 also come in a color-deficient option

 Compliant Peripherals

TSG compliance does not end at the positive disconnect device but rather extends to the peripherals which connect to it. CIS Secure peripherals meet all compliance requirements and are validated through compliance testing:

1. CIS Secure Headsets:
   1. Push-to-Talk (PTT) – PTT headsets are strongly recommended by the NTSWG as they ensure audio is transmitted only when the PTT button is actively engaged and reduce the risk of inadvertent audio transmission.
   2. Trade Agreements Act (TAA) Compliant – TAA compliance gives government agencies confidence that the products they are purchasing originate from trusted nations. This reduces the risk of supply chain vulnerabilities or sourcing from countries not aligned with U.S. trade policy.
   3. No Active Noise Cancellation – Active noise cancellation uses electronic circuitry and microphones to detect incoming ambient noise and cancel out ambient noise. While beneficial, it also introduces potential eavesdropping risks. CIS Secure headsets use passive noise cancellation by relying purely on physical design techniques to block external sound.
   4. User Options – Available in Monaural (single-ear) and Binaural (dual-ear) options
2. CIS Secure Webcam:
   1. Wired Only – As with our headsets, the webcam does not have any radios, including WiFi and Bluetooth.
   2. Visible Indicator – The webcam has a 360-degree visible indicator that can notify anyone in the area that the camera is active and sending video.
   3. No Microphone – The webcam does not have a microphone. Using a another webcam where the microphone is disabled via software is non-compliant.
   4. No Extraneous Ports – The CIS Secure webcam does not have any extraneous ports. Webcams sometimes come with additional USB ports which allow users to daisy chain another device to the webcam making it non-compliant
   5. Physical Camera Lens Cover – The CIS Secure webcam has a physical camera lens cover cable of fully blocking the view from the lens. Other webcams with software-based lens obfuscation solutions are non-compliant.

Together, the CIS Secure USB Positive Disconnect and compliant peripherals meet the NTSWG required protections for collaboration in secure facilities, while maintaining user efficiency for collaboration through softphone solutions. All CIS Secure Positive Disconnect devices are built to the same high assurance standard, providing hardware-level protection for collaboration environments where policy compliance and mission assurance are non-negotiable. To learn more, complete this form to speak with one of our experts, Contact Sales – CISSecure.