Thales UK announced today that it has sold its 5,000th CAPS-approved Datacryptor® since its launch of the Datacryptor family in 2000. The Ministry of Defence’s PJHQ J6, the Communication and Information Systems division of the organisation responsible for the planning and execution of UK-led joint and multinational operations, is the latest Datacryptor customer having ordered Datacryptor AP (Advanced Performance) IP 10Mbps units. It will be using these units to aid its overseas operations and will be using Datacryptor to protect information up to RESTRICTED level.

Colonel John Whitby Deputy Assistant Chief-of-Staff for PJHQ J6 said: “We have increased our investment in this technology as a result of the performance we have seen from the other Datacryptor products that we have already installed. In our type of work there is no margin for error, and Datacryptor has proved itself highly reliable”.

James Kilazoglou, Managing Directo r of Thales e-security business said: “This is a landmark achievement for Thales in the UK. It reflects th e compelling reputation of Thales UK within this industry and proves that we can meet the demanding requirements of the MoD. The Datacryptor AP, recently purchased by PJHQ J6, has CAPS approval for use at RESTRICTED, CONFIDENTIAL and SECRET levels. In addition, Datacryptor AP is highly robust and, with its secure reverse tunnelling capability, guarantees the MoD flexibility in the way it is used.”

Secure reverse tunnelling allows the communication of non classified content over secure networks, meaning that Datacryptor AP can be used to secure any information, regardless of its security level, by personnel with any level of appropriate clearance. This facility has considerable benefits as it increases the flexible use of current CIS capability.

In addition, Thales UK recognises that users, both private and government, require the highest level of security, regardless of their bandwidth requirements. Consequently, Thales UK offers the 10Mbps IP Network Encryptor to compliment its 100Mbps version. Both set a new price/performance standard for securing the confidentiality and integrity of data, voice and video transmissions over a public IP network. The unique upgrade path between 10Mbps and 100Mbps gives users the flexibility to meet their future bandwidth demands.

This emphasis on flexibility has been in-built into the design of the Datacryptor AP. It uses soft-loadable algorithm techniques, using 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.

The sale of Thales UK’s 5,000 th Datacryptor product demonstrates that, over the last five years, Datacryptor has established itself as the product of choice in the UK Government and MoD for encrypting classified communication. Since 2000, the entire Datacryptor 2000 family of Link, Frame Relay and IP encryptors has been deployed at some stage in one or more of UK government departments. This is testimony to the high security and flexibility offered by Datacryptor and the formidable reputation of Thales.

Thales can be seen at the DCSA show in Cardiff this year on 20-22 September.

About Thales
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, serving defence, aerospace, s ecurity and services markets worldwide. The Group employs 60,000 people throughout the world and generated revenues of 10.3 billion euros in 2004. Thales UK employs 10,000 people and generated revenues of £1.1 billion in 2004.

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.

Contacts
Sarah Milligan
Thales
+44 (0)1844 204 181
sarah.milligan@thales-esecurity.com

Sharon Brennan
Hotwire
+44 (0) 20 7608 4628
sharon.brennan@hotwirepr.com

Kenneth McGilvary
Hotwire
+44 (0) 20 7608 4633
kenneth.mcgilvary@hotwirepr.com