London : Thales UK today announced a broadband remote access solution certified to Enhanced Grade under the CESG Assisted Products Scheme (CAPS) for use by the UK Government. CESG is the information assurance arm of GCHQ that is responsible for evaluating and approving security products for use by the Government. The solution combines the proven SafeDial+ encryptor PC card with the new SafeDial+ IP Adapter, and may be used for Protectively Marked information up to CONFIDENTIAL.

SafeDial+ uses a proprietary Enhanced Grade UK Government algorithm to secure the privacy and integrity of any communications sent to and from a computer over a wide range of communications media. Available for laptops and with an adaptor for desktop machines, SafeDial+ is the only product of its kind approved for use by the Government and is used by thousands of remote workers across central Government departments and the MoD.

The SafeDial+ IP Adapter enhances the existing SafeDial+ product by enabling connectivity to a wide range of IP networks, including residential broadband ISP services. The solution meets the demands of growing numbers of Government home workers and mobile employees that need to be able to use e-mail, web services and transfer files securely over a public network such as the Internet. Current users of SafeDial+ need only buy the IP Adapter to become broadband enabled. SafeDial+ gives them the flexibility to choose between PSTN, ISDN, GSM and IP connectivity depending on where they are.

Housed in a tamper resistant PCMCIA package, SafeDial+ has a highly secure design that protects the algorithms and keys. The device provides protection against chemical and low temperature attacks, as well as any physical dismantling of the card and exposing the electronics. On detecting an attack, SafeDial+ will immediately delete the private keys, ensuring sensitive information is not compromised. SafeDial+ requires only a password for normal operation, and by generating a different and random encryption key each time it is used, it eliminates the time consuming need for regular new keys to be created, updated and distributed to each machine being protected.

Thales is also introducing the SafePort+ PortServer as an IP concentrator for the central site. In conjunction with the SafePort+ Rack, this allows the central site solution to cater for in-coming connections over both dial-up and IP networks.

As well as providing a very flexible security solution for communication over IP, the broadband solution brings associated cost savings, including:

Paul Jackson, head of the communications security activities of Thales UK , said: “With over 40% percent of UK home users having the potential to access broadband, the Government has a pressing need to enable its workforce to take advantage of the benefits that high bandwidth networking can bring. The absolute security of any information passed across the internet by Government employees is, of course, imperative and SafeDial+ is the only device on the market certified by CESG to ensure this level of security.”

About Thales UK
Thales UK is an international electronics and systems group, serving defence, aerospace, services and security markets. Thales UK employs 11,000 people and generated revenues of £1.2 billion in 2003.

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.

Contact details for Thales

Claire Topping
Thales e-Security
+44 (0)1844 204156
claire.topping@thales-esecurity.com

Scott McLean
Hotwire
+44 (0) 20 7608 4643
scott.mclean@hotwirepr.com