Thales Introduces New Layer 3 IP Encryptor for Wireless Point-to-Point Security Applications

11 May 2005

Thales today unveiled the Datacryptor(R) Advanced Performance for wireless (DCAP-W), a new member to Thales' portfolio of encryption devices. The DCAP-W is specially designed for point-to-point single-tunnel wireless applications. The new wireless security solution addresses the needs of the U.S. Federal Government, Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 8100.2, and FBI (Criminal Justice Information System) requirements for state and local governments. The DoD mandate requires that all unclassified wireless transmission must be encrypted with Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 Level 2 certified hardware, using the AES encryption algorithm. Outdoor wireless WAN applications are increasingly important within the federal agencies and local municipalities.

Wireless WAN applications provide a significant cost savings with a very high ROI rate. The introduction of the DCAP-W is being made in concert with Thales' launch of the Secure Wireless Alliance Program (SWAP), a corporate program with leading outdoor wireless point-to-point vendors. New participants of SWAP will deploy their solutions with the robust security offered by Thales.

The new Datacryptor DCAP-W has been optimized to support single VPN tunnel point-to-point applications. "As Thales continues to respond to the needs of our government customers, the new Datacryptor products will allow federal agencies to continue to deploy Thales' security products for new and emerging wireless applications," said Cindy Provin, President of the e-Security activities of Thales in the Americas.

The Thales Datacryptor product line ranges from 10 Mbps to Gigabit speed performance Layer 3 solutions, to SONET OC-48 Layer 2 solutions. The Datacryptor product line addresses the bulk of the current wireless WAN deployments, which are under 100 Mbps, and the upcoming high-speed wireless WANs, which operate at Gigabit speeds and higher.

The Datacryptor AP family offers the strongest encryption technology available in a COTS product, offering AES (128, 192, or 256-bit key) and 3DES (168-bit key), and the ability to accept other customized/national algorithms utilizing Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology. Unlike traditional Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) based encryptors, the use of FPGAs allows loading of a cryptographic algorithm into the processor, thus achieving hardware speeds with software-like flexibility. This approach requires no hardware replacement and permits easy migration between algorithms. In addition, the DCAP-W employs X.509 certificates for authentication and Diffie-Hellman automatic key exchange, thereby ensuring minimal manual intervention once commissioned.

Following Thales' reputation for building robust cryptographic products, the new DCAP-W uses a tamper-evident 19-inch rack-mountable metal enclosure. Inside the device, the cryptographic envelope is sealed within a tamper-resistant module. Any attempt to penetrate, this module erases the key material. As a stand-alone encryptor, the device also addresses the important need for separation between network administration and security management. Continuing Thales' strategy of producing independently-certified information assurance solutions for government, the new DCAP-W model is designed in compliance with FIPS 140-2 Level 3 and international Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level 4 (EAL4).

The new encryptor facilitates demanding quality of service (QoS) applications like voice over IP (VoIP). By utilizing the established Datacryptor Element Manager management software, existing users benefit from a solution that is backwards compatible with the rest of the Datacryptor family, and therefore provides centralized monitoring together with secure control of a diverse range of encryption devices. This not only eliminates the need for multiple management systems, but also reduces customers' deployment and training costs. Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is also supported for convenient enterprise-wide monitoring capability.

About Datacryptor(R) products:

The Datacryptor range of hardware encryptors provides strong and FIPS 140-2 certified security at Layer 2 and Layer 3 applications including leased line Link, Frame Relay, SONET, IP networks, and Ethernet. With AES (128, 192, 256-bit) and 3DES (168-bit) algorithms built in, the Datacryptor family is designed to fulfill the requirements dictated by the new Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 8100.2.

About Thales

Thales is an international electronics and systems group, serving Defense, Aerospace, Security and Services markets. The group employs 61,500 people and generated revenues of $13 billion in 2004.

Recent contract awards include the military's multi-million dollar Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) program award; and an award from the Defense Information System Agency (DISA) for data encryption products.

Operating in three main markets covering e-security, card payment, and network security, Thales' e-security activity addresses 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.

Visit the e-Security site of Thales on the Web at http://www.thalesesec.com

Contacts
Thales e-Security, Inc., Weston
Media Contact:
Rochelle Hopke, 954-888-6200/1-888-744-4976 x-6297
rochelle.hopke@thalesesec.com
or
Company Contact:
Alok Sharma, 954-888-6200/1-888-744-4976 x-6254
alok.sharma@thalesesec.com