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Thales Announces UK Government Version of the Datacryptor AP High-Speed IP Encryptor

25 October 2004

The first product based on this new AP platform is a 100 Mbps IP encryptor that sets a new price/performance standard for securing the confidentiality and integrity of data, voice and video transmissions over a public IP network. Datacryptor AP joins the well-established Datacryptor 2000 family of Link, Frame Relay and IP encryptors that are already approved by CESG to protect information classified at RESTRICTED, CONFIDENTIAL and short- or long-term SECRET. CESG is the information assurance arm of GCHQ that is responsible for evaluating and approving security products for use by the Government. Datacryptor AP is currently being evaluated at Enhanced Grade by CESG under the Cryptographic Assisted Products Scheme (CAPS).

Paul Jackson, head of the communications security activities at Thales, said: "As in the private sector, the Government has an increasing need for high bandwidth networking. To date the Government has limited options for adding security to high bandwidth networks without degrading back the performance. Datacryptor AP is the only product that meets the demands of both network and security managers head on." The new high-speed IP encryptor offers true 100 Mbps full duplex performance and low latency, enabling it to support Quality of Service (QoS) applications like Voice over IP (VoIP). As a stand-alone encryptor, the device also addresses the important need for separation between network administration and security management. By continuing to use the Datacryptor Element Manager management software, existing users benefit from a solution which is backward compatible with the rest of the Datacryptor 2000 family. As such it provides centralised monitoring together with secure control of a diverse range of encryptors. This not only eliminates the need for multiple management systems, but also reduces customers' deployment and training costs. Element Manager can also be easily integrated to Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) for convenient enterprise-wide monitoring capability.

The Datacryptor family uses soft-loadable algorithm techniques, utilising Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology, to allow algorithms to be updated and changed over time with software-like flexibility. This approach requires no hardware replacement and permits easy migration to custom algorithms. It also means that Datacryptor AP provides an unprecedented degree of future proofing. Following the tradition set by Thales of building independently-certified stand-alone cryptographic products, the new 100 Mbps IP device is built on a tamper-evident 19 inch rack-mountable metal enclosure, and is designed in compliance with FIPS 140-2 Level 3 and Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level (EAL) 4. Inside, the cryptographic envelope is sealed within a tamper resistant module. Any attempt to penetrate this module erases the algorithms and keys, thus enabling classified algorithms held within the FPGA a high level of protection. Uniquely for commercial of-the-shelf (COTS) encryptors, the strength of tamper protection in the Datacryptor family enables it to use a classified government algorithm suitable for protecting long-term SECRET information. For a limited time, Thales is offering a rebate to customers who trade in their existing IP encryptors for the new high-speed Datacryptor AP, making Datacryptor an even more affordable proposition. For more information on this and other offers, and to download a white paper on Understanding IP Encryptor Performance, please visit www.datacryptor.co.uk.

About Thales
Operating in three main markets covering e-security, card payment and network security, Thales' e-Security activities address the business, government and finance industries' need for cryptographic security products and solutions. Over half of the world's banks, together with the majority of the busiest exchanges, currently use Thales technology. For more than 20 years the company has been at the forefront of security and payment technology, co-operating and contributing to set the industry standards used for financial transactions and e-commerce globally. Thales e-Security activities offer a wide range of security solutions to protect Government and Defence critical information infrastructures, thereby positioning the company as a leading worldwide supplier of certified network security products.