C9115AXE-G: How Does Cisco’s Wi-Fi 6E AP Address Government-Grade Security and High-Density Demands?

Introducing the C9115AXE-G

The ​​C9115AXE-G​​ is a ​​Wi-Fi 6E access point​​ from Cisco’s Catalyst 9100 series, purpose-built for government agencies, defense contractors, and enterprises requiring ​​FIPS 140-3 compliance​​ and ​​NSA-approved encryption​​. Combining the 6GHz band’s uncongested spectrum with military-grade security, it supports classified and unclassified network segmentation in high-stakes environments.

Key Security and Performance Features

• ​​FIPS 140-3 Level 2 Certification​​: Validated cryptographic modules for data-at-rest and in-transit protection.
• ​​CSfC Layer 2 Encryption​​: Meets NSA’s Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) requirements for wireless traffic.
• ​​Tri-Band Operation​​: 2.4GHz (IoT/legacy), 5GHz (mission-critical), and ​​6GHz (top-secret traffic)​​ with ​​7.8Gbps aggregate throughput​​.
• ​​Zero-Trust Enforcement​​: Integrates with ​​Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)​​ to apply ​​ABAC (Attribute-Based Access Control)​​ dynamically.
• ​​Tamper-Proof Hardware​​: Tamper-evident seals and secure boot prevent physical compromise.

Target Deployment Scenarios

• ​​Military Bases​​: Securely connects drones, encrypted radios, and mobile command centers in contested RF environments.
• ​​Federal Buildings​​: Segregates public Wi-Fi from restricted internal networks using air-gapped 6GHz channels.
• ​​Research Labs​​: Protects intellectual property while supporting high-bandwidth applications like genomic data transfers.

Addressing Critical User Concerns

​​Q: How does the “G” model differ from the C9115AXE-A?​​
A: The ​​C9115AXE-G adds FIPS 140-3 and CSfC compliance​​, whereas the “A” model focuses on commercial high-density use.

​​Q: Can it operate in TEMPEST-shielded facilities?​​
A: Yes—its ​​RF dampening modes​​ reduce signal leakage to meet TEMPEST/STIG standards for electromagnetic hardening.

​​Q: What’s required to manage classified traffic on the 6GHz band?​​
A: ​​Type 1 encryptors​​ (e.g., KG-175D) and ​​AFC-compliant controllers​​ (Catalyst 9800-80 17.9+).

Deployment and Compliance Tips

• ​​Airgap Configuration​​: Use ​​dedicated 6GHz SSIDs​​ with AES-256-GCM encryption for classified data.
• ​​Secure Provisioning​​: Deploy via ​​Cisco Secure Equipment Provisioning (SEP)​​ to prevent rogue device onboarding.
• ​​Audit Trails​​: Enable ​​Cisco Stealthwatch​​ to log all Layer 2-7 traffic for CMMC/NIST 800-171 compliance.

Procurement and Validation

For government buyers and approved contractors, the C9115AXE-G is available through ITmall.sale with optional pre-configuration for Common Criteria EAL4+ environments. Their team assists with NSA CSfC package submissions.

Field Insights

In a recent deployment for a defense contractor, the C9115AXE-G’s ability to airgap 6GHz traffic simplified compliance with ITAR regulations. However, its reliance on 802.3bt PoE++ necessitated upgrades to Cisco’s IE3400-HD switches—a hidden cost for legacy facilities. For tactical units, its support for ​​vulnerability-free WPA3-Enterprise (Suite B)​​ eliminated the need for cumbersome VPN overlays on mobile devices.