Cygnus Solutions Demonstrates First Complete Kerberos Solution for Enterprise Customers; KerbNet Provides Critical Functionality: Meets Requirements for Deploying User Authentication in the Enterprise

Business Wire, Nov 11, 1996

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 11, 1996-- Underscoring its leadership in secure user authentication, Cygnus today publicly demonstrated the latest KerbNet products at the Computer Security Institute's Conference and Exhibition in Chicago.

Featured in this demonstration are the industry's first implementation of a Kerberos server running on Windows NT, integration with an Oracle database, and graphical administration tools.

KerbNet is a commercial release of MIT's Kerberos version 5, a network security solution that guarantees the identity of network users and resources. With KerbNet, a trusted Authentication Server ensures that users have proper access to network services, and, if necessary, they communicate using an encrypted communication channel. By guaranteeing the identity of principals, KerbNet makes user authentication a foundation for network security.

KerbNet provides client and server software components as well as libraries and interfaces that can be used to "kerberize" existing applications. KerbNet customers have full access to the components -- from point and click installation and configuration utilities, to object libraries and Kerberos source code.

"As more companies rely on Internet and Intranet technologies to conduct business applications, the threat to their networks and information increases dramatically," said Scott Petry, Director of Product Marketing, Cygnus Solutions. "KerbNet provides completely secure protection against unauthorized access. Cygnus has gone to great lengths to address the requirements of business customers who need to embrace Internet technologies but still maintain control over resources."

KerbNet is unique in providing secure user authentication that meets the requirements of enterprise customers:

-- Today's client-server networks require services to be deployed on multi-vendor platforms and operate identically. The KerbNet Authentication Server is the industry's first Kerberos server that runs on Windows NT and the range of UNIX platforms. KerbNet also provides client software for workstations, NT, PC, and Macintosh computers.

-- Solutions in the enterprise must scale to support many thousands of users. Cygnus provides the only Kerberos server that can tap the power of an Oracle database for keeping user profile information safe, secure, and readily available.

-- Security technologies must be easy to deploy. Cygnus provides the industry's only graphical front end for managing Kerberos users, groups, profile information, and more.

KerbNet supports the Generic Security Services API (GSSAPI) for easy integration into applications. GSSAPI is a standard interface that allows developers to add security services to applications without requiring them to understand the underlying technology. Applications written to the GSSAPI can leverage the robust authentication services of KerbNet as easily as linking in a library.

Cygnus is the leading commercial development force behind Kerberos. Cygnus' KerbNet is based on Internet standards RFC 1510 and 1508. Cygnus' implementation of Kerberos has been deployed by organizations in all industries including AT&T, Oracle, Xerox, UUNET, NASA, and others. Pricing and availability details for KerbNet will be released at a later date.

About Cygnus Solutions

In 1989, Cygnus Solutions began modernizing the software development marketplace by delivering Internet technologies with commercial support as an alternative to proprietary, single vendor solutions. Today, Cygnus helps its customers create and deliver solutions faster by developing, delivering, and supporting robust development tools and software components for the embedded and native software markets.

Cygnus Solutions is a global company with headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., and additional offices in the United Kingdom and Japan. For more information on Cygnus, visit the web site at http://www.cygnus.com.

CONTACT: Cygnus Solutions

Jeacline Marinkovic, 415/903-1442

jeacline@cygnus.com

or

Golin/Harris Technologies

Dawn Harris, 415/904-7000 ext. 212

dharris@hi-tech.com