A device approved by the National Security Agency (NSA) as a controlled cryptographic item, that embodies a cryptographic logic or other cryptographic design, and performs the entire COMSEC function, but is dependent upon the host equipment to operate.
Sources:
CNSSI 4009-2015
from
NSA/CSS Manual Number 3-16 (COMSEC)
A device approved by the National Security Agency as a controlled cryptographic item that embodies a cryptographic logic or other cryptographic design. A CCI component does not perform the entire COMSEC function, and is dependent upon a host equipment or assembly to complete and operate the COMSEC function.
Sources:
CNSSI 4009-2015
under controlled cryptographic item (CCI) component
from
NSA/CSS Manual Number 3-16 (COMSEC)