Thales e-Security, an established world leader in security solutions for sensitive communications and electronic payments will be exhibiting at the 16 th Annual DistribuTECH Conference and Exhibition taking place from February 7 – 9, 2006 at the Tampa Convention Center, in Tampa, Florida.

Thales will showcase its new Datacryptor® Select Application (SA) Remote Access Security Module.  Remote access capability is one of the most vulnerable areas affecting Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Process Control Systems (PCS) used throughout the Nation’s utilities and critical infrastructure systems. However, it is also an operational necessity in order to facilitate configuration changes and access to devices at remote locations. Cyber attacks can be mounted against these systems by taking advantage of the access provided by dial-up modems, IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi access, and radio connections, and the use of commonly known passwords to the maintenance ports of Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) and Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) controlling utility and industrial operations.

The new Thales remote access security module provides strong two-factor ( physicaltoken and password) authenticated access of authorized field technicians, protection engineers, and establishes a secure tunnel to these device’s maintenance ports to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of all data and commands. By providing this additional level of access control, only authorized personnel can gain access to the maintenance port of remote assets and only for the authorized time frame. This level of management  also provides greater control over external personnel, such as vendors or contractors, requiring only temporary access to remote assets. The security solution is designed to meet emerging industry regulations and standards such as those being developed by the American Gas Association (AGA) and the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC). Thales’ Datacryptor SA is the first commercially available low-cost remote access security solution designed for critical infrastructure applications offering strong National Instituted of Standards and Technology (NIST)-approved cryptography for authentication and encryption of maintenance port access.

To learn more about the Datacryptor SA and how it can secure your vulnerable maintenance port access, come visit Thales at DistribuTECH Conference and Exhibition at the Tampa Convention Center , in Tampa , Florida – February 7 – 9, 2006 , Booth  # 744.

About Thales
Thales is an international electronics and systems group, serving Defense, Aerospace, Security and Services markets. The group employs 60,000 people and generated revenues of $12.6 billion in 2004.

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. Thales’ FIPS-certified 3DES, AES and custom algorithm encryption platforms protect message and transaction security over WAN, private networks and provide information assurance for critical infrastructures, particularly within the major utilities and energy industries.

Thales Media Contact
Rochelle Hopke, Manager, Marketing Communications
Thales e-Security, Inc.
Tel: 954-888-6200/1-888-744-4976 (x-6297)
Email: rochelle.hopke@thalesesec.com

Thales Company Contact

Juan C. Asenjo, CISSP
Thales e-Security, Inc.
Product Marketing Manager
Information Assurance Solutions
Tel:   954-888-6202
Email: juan.asenjo@thalesesec.com