Intel, Compaq, Entrust, IBM and Microsoft Address Network Security Issues; Industry Leaders To Provide End-to-End Security Solutions - Company Business and Marketing

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Sept 20, 1999

Intel Corporation and four other information technology leaders - Compaq, Entrust Technologies, IBM and Microsoft - Tuesday addressed the need for end-to-end network security solutions.

With the goal of creating an overall solution for protecting sensitive network data, each industry leader will provide a key element to the total network security solution. Tuesday, Intel announced it will provide Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) products for PC and server platforms. These products have been optimized for the Windows(2) 2000 operating system. Compaq and IBM plan to incorporate IPSec technology into their platform security offerings to help provide an end-to-end protected network environment. Intel and Entrust Tuesday also announced the Intel/Entrust Interoperability Alliance to extend and enhance a more protected network environment with public certificate-based security across current and future software and hardware solutions.

Network security is an increasing concern worldwide as companies rapidly adopt e-Business infrastructures. Closed networks that were once limited to desktop workstations are now open to suppliers, partners and remote employees. While this open network access can facilitate faster business operations, e-business can leave proprietary data open to unintended access by individuals who can monitor local area network (LAN) traffic. Network firewalls and other traditional network protection devices, while still important, are not sufficient to safely protect the network's intranet and extranet.

According to a recent survey by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Computer Security Institute, a leading membership organization of information security professionals, 24 percent of respondents reported that in 1998 their network systems had been penetrated by outsiders, resulting in a total loss of $1,637,000(1). Additionally, 45 percent of survey respondents reported that they had experienced unauthorized access by insiders within their company in 1998, resulting in a total loss of $50,565,000(1).

"Establishing a trusted environment for transmitting information is becoming key to a company's success," said Greg Lang, vice president and general manager, Intel Network Interface Division. "Intel's vision is to create a trusted, virtual network. The only way we can make this a reality is by working with other industry leaders to provide an end-to-end networking solution for LAN security."

As part of its overall network security strategy, Intel is currently developing IPSec connectivity products for PC and server platforms that help secure traffic over LANs. IPSec is an emerging standard that addresses network security easily and inexpensively and is currently being implemented by a number of industry leaders. Later this year, Intel will ship a new family of high-performance desktop and server adapters and other connectivity devices that feature IPSec protocol support. These products will feature a network encryption co-processor and are capable of 3 Data Encryption Standard (DES) encryption for data.

Compaq is strengthening network security on PC platforms with solutions that will be deployed later this year. "As leader in high-end system security, with $8 trillion out of $11 trillion worth of electronic payments in the U.S. accomplished using Compaq solutions, we are very focused on the industry's need for protection in the Internet-connected world," said Ray Frigo, vice president of commercial desktop solutions and strategy, Compaq Computer Corporation. "As e-business becomes more prevalent, a secure infrastructure must include PC clients since they form the primary interface with customers, partners and suppliers. Compaq already leads in this area with biometric fingerprint devices and smart card readers. IPSec will further play an important role in enhancing Compaq's security solutions on PC platforms."

Compaq is also sponsoring an exclusive series of breakfast briefings on "Building a Protected, Networked Enterprise," in partnership with Intel and Microsoft. Each 90-minute session will be educational in format and will feature industry experts speaking on the latest trends and important developments around client, server and LAN security. The Security Briefing Series will take place throughout Fall 1999, in San Francisco, Las Vegas and New York City. Registration and additional information about the events will be available on September 20th at http://www.securitybriefing.com/.> IBM and Intel are cooperating on solutions to protect data that travels between systems via the network which will optimize network performance and alleviate bottlenecks at the client level. IBM will be the first to market with an integrated security solution that features IPSec, as well as Wake on LAN(2) and Alert on LAN 2(2), which helps customers save money, protect their data and lower their total cost of ownership.

"The IPSec solution will complete the end-to-end IBM security offerings for e-business," stated Jan Janick, vice president, desktop systems development, IBM Personal Systems Group. "In combination with our Universal Management Agent, we will deliver a set of manageability tools designed to help our customers focus on managing their business, instead of their network."