Welcome to the latest edition of AEP Networker. The very timely theme of this issue is how AEP Networks' unique range of solutions can help strengthen the security of government and public- sector networks, both in the U.S. and abroad. Now, just to be clear, AEP's network and application access security solutions are deployed across a broad range of vertical markets - including healthcare, financial services, manufacturing and professional services. While we'll continue to focus on these important vertical segments, we believe our solutions can provide unique value for government and public-sector organizations. Let me explain why.First, we offer an integrated set of security solutions that enable a government agency to simultaneously safeguard their internal network infrastructure while providing access to key applications and data to authorized users. Our Net and Keyper products ensure the confidentiality of network communications, while our SmartGate and Netilla Security Platform lines enable secure access to private data from virtually anywhere. Second, we're committed to pursuing the highest security certifications for our products. AEP products are available with U.S. FIPS or U.K. CAPS certifications - a 'must have' for government as well as many commercial installations. Third, AEP has a tremendous track record in providing government IT security solutions worldwide. In North and South America, these efforts are led by our Government Solutions Group (GSG), while our U.K.-based Secure Networking Business Unit (based in the U.K.) will provide solutions for Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions. Based in Rockville, Md., GSG is headed by Margaret (Peg) Grayson, one of the nation's leading experts on cyber security, and it keeps a close eye on IT security priorities and trends in government. To that end, AEP and Forrester Research jointly produced a webcast in September "Key Strategies and Trends for Building Highly Secure Government Networks," which answers questions about how government is addressing network security concerns.Finally, by rigorously enforcing enterprise security policies, our products constitute an important tool for regulatory compliance - an increasing priority for both commercial and public-sector organizations. A recent Ernst & Young survey cited regulatory compliance as the primary driver for information security, surpassing even worms and viruses as a top priority for IT managers. As regulatory compliance brings information security to the forefront for both government and business, AEP Networks remains committed to delivering a complete portfolio of network security solutions. Pat Donnellan, CEO

Heads of state and government officials from the world's eight most powerful nations met in Scotland at the G-8 Summit this summer to discuss significant world issues.During the summit, Perth & Kinross Council, a local government body, was responsible for securing online communications for key summit personnel. The council housed the majority of back-end servers and applications at its offices, a short distance from the Gleneagles Hotel where most of the summit meetings took place. To give summit attendees secure, remote access to applications and information on its servers via the Internet, the council deployed AEP Networks Netilla Security Platform (NSP). AEP Networks' NSP gives users access to any application, from any location, simply and securely through a web browser. The Perth & Kinross Council chose the NSP because of its high level of security and its ease and speed of deployment. "The summit presented a number of interesting communications challenges, but with the technical expertise of our own staff and the AEP team we successfully met all of those challenges," said Roddy McArthur, Executive Director (Corporate Services) Perth and Kinross Council.Read more about AEP and the G8 Summit.

In today's edition of 'Product Corner' we answer your questions about AEP Keyper, the World's Only Fully Certified FIPS 140-2 Level 4 Hardware Security Module. What is AEP Keyper?
AEP Keyper is a hardware security module, an encrypted network device that provides top security and performance for key storage, high-speed signature and hardware key generation to protect sensitive data and information systems. Keyper is available in three modules: Keyper Enterprise, Keyper Professional and Keyper PCI.Who Uses AEP Keyper?
AEP Keyper is designed for organizations and businesses deploying a cryptographic system where the protection of cryptographic keys is a priority. For example, in organizations requiring certificate signing, code or document signing, bulk generation or ciphering of keys or data.Why use AEP Keyper?
AEP Keyper is the only hardware security module in the world that can be used in FIPS mode as a FIPS 140-2 Level 4 device. AEP Keyper also supports high-availability and load balancing.Who are Keyper Customers?
There have been more than 1,000 Keyper units deployed worldwide. Keyper has been in use in the U.K., Australia, U.S., European Government and other international projects since 2000. While government has traditionally been the primary customer for Keyper, demand is growing in the enterprise with recent sales to major computer manufacturers.Read more about AEP Keyper.

To sell cryptography products to government, vendors must meet stringent security requirements. This article provides a basic overview of FIPS and CAPS - two of the most prevalent government certifications. U.S. Government
Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) - A series of publications issued by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that specifies information security guidelines for federal government departments and agencies. There are four increasingly stringent levels of FIPS certification. While it is a U.S. government designation, FIPS certification also carries weight abroad.For more information, visit the Federal Information Processing Standards Publications site.U.K. Government
CAPS (CESG Assisted Products Scheme) - Roughly analogous to FIPS in the U.S., CAPS is a U.K. government program that helps private-sector companies develop cryptographic products for use by the British government. CAPS links the cryptographic knowledge of CESG (the Communications-Electronics Security Group, the U.K. national technical authority for information assurance) with the private sector's expertise and resources. By certifying the performance of cryptographic products according to a set of standards, CAPS provides assurance for U.K. government agencies purchasing commercial IT security products. For more information, visit The National Technical Authority for Technical Assurance.Although FIPS and CAPS are government certifications, they are also influential in certain areas of the private sector, such as financial services and healthcare.

AEP Networks' line of network security products have been added to Computer Marketing Associates' (CMA) General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule, making AEP's network security products available for direct purchase by government buyers. Being added to Computer Marketing Associate's GSA Schedule demonstrates that AEP products meet the demanding requirements of government implementations and have been assessed and approved for government use. Listing on the GSA schedule also streamlines the process for government customers to purchase AEP products, which gives the company more opportunities to sell into the public sector.Computer Marketing Associates is a government channel partner that manages the complexities of doing business in the public sector. Under the Schedules program, GSA establishes long-term contract with firms like CMA to provide products and services to the US federal government.

After a rigorous four-year evaluation process, AEP Networks has been granted a United States patent for various foundational SSL VPN technologies. Since filing the patent application four years ago, AEP's SSL VPN portfolio now includes two of the most mature and market-tested secure application access products on the market: AEP Netilla Security Platform and the AEP SmartGate. Among the more than 1,000 enterprises relying on NSP are Lockheed Martin, Johnson Matthey, Southern University, Herr Foods, Virtua Health, Louisiana State University and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange. The US patent was granted for:

"...apparatus and accompanying methods for providing, through a centralized server site, an integrated virtual office environment, remotely accessible via a network- connected Web browser, with remote network monitoring and management capabilities."

AEP is currently analyzing the implications of this patent, which may include the possibility of licensing relevant aspects of the patented technology to other vendors.

AEP Networks will be showing off its complete line of network security solutions at Interop New York at New York City's Javits Center from Dec. 13-15. Drop by booth #124 to meet us and see demos of AEP Networks Netilla Security Platform and AEP SmartGate.

In addition to exhibiting on the main show floor, AEP will sponsor Interop's SSL VPN Day on Dec. 12. This Special Interest Day will be led by industry expert Joel Snyder, senior partner at the Opus One consulting firm. AEP will participate in a panel discussion during the daylong seminar on SSL VPN technologies, and will offer special promotions during the event.

AEP is participating in five major industry events in the coming months. Find out where you can see us next... Reap the Rewards - remote working in the public sector
(pdf, 140k)

Future Proof Your Network - an article from Network World