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UK Authority Approves Remote Access Device To Secure Critical Government Comms Networks

London, UK – July 3, 2006 – A cutting-edge remote access device for government mobile and home workers, which has been designed to meet the requirements for critical communications networks, including Military, Diplomatic and Criminal Intelligence systems, has been approved by the UK Communications Electronic Security Group (CESG)¹ to protect remote communication to Enhanced Grade (Confidential) standard.

AEP Net Remote, from network and application security specialist, AEP Networks Ltd, is a portable Ethernet encryption device that home and mobile workers can connect directly from their PCs. It has been officially certified under the CESG Assisted Products Scheme (CAPS) to provide secure access to applications and data over a wide number of network access technologies including remote office LAN, broadband (over DSL or cable) and Ethernet enabled Wi-Fi.

The approved product protects against a range of threats including those directly from the Internet. Because it is approved for securing highly sensitive information, it incorporates sophisticated features to help prevent key theft and duplication in the event of being lost or stolen. Real time compromise control mechanisms enable the unit to be remotely disabled, leaving the rest of the network safe and operational. Its tamper reactive enclosure protects against sophisticated intrusion attacks.

“Net Remote has been designed to protect access to some of the most critical systems in Government,” explains Rob Lane , AEP Networks’ EVP for Secure Networking. “It can meet end user requirements within areas such as the Military, Criminal Intelligence, Child Protection and Immigration Control, as well as those in operational networks used for International Collaboration.“

The system, which is highly scalable with a capacity in excess of 50,000 users, is extremely easy to use, enabling the user to be ready for secure remote access in as little as 60 seconds. It has been designed to support high demand applications such as Voice or Video over IP with no appreciable latency.

The CAPS certified AEP Net Remote product can be used as a standalone remote access solution or integrated with AEP’s Net Gateway secured networks. A unique ‘tunnel routing’ feature enables authorised AEP Net Remote users to transparently access resources on AEP Net secured intranets and extranets.

Dramatic total cost of ownership benefits are delivered through the AEP Net Remote management software which provides centralised, automated features for managing communities of users. Modular design allows rapid deployment and roll out of AEP Net Remote, while customers can evolve their networks without major reconfiguration or investment. Fully automated policy and key management means there is no need for costly site visits and no sensitive material has to be left at the remote site.

Rob Lane explains, “CESG certification is the official approval which means that AEP Net Remote has been meticulously designed to meet rigorous security specifications. But with growing numbers of government and public sector agency staff working remotely, we’re also keen to emphasize that it has been designed with ‘real world’ cost considerations and manageability in mind. The AEP Net Remote management solution, based on the same software that supports our AEP Net solutions, helps reduce running costs by simplifying and automating management and administration tasks. It makes the system highly scalable and allows in-house teams or Managed Service Providers to cost effectively tailor the solution as requirements develop.”

¹ The CESG is the Information Assurance (IA) arm of GCHQ. It is the UK Government’s National Technical Authority for IA, responsible for enabling secure and trusted knowledge sharing.

About AEP Networks
AEP Networks (www.aepnetworks.com), the specialist in network and application access security, delivers infrastructure security solutions that are easy to use and manage while offering exceptional value and mission-critical reliability. The company provides a full range of solutions, including identity-based application security gateways, highly secure VPNs, SSL VPNs and cryptographic key management products, to meet the most demanding requirements of public-sector and commercial customers around the world. A privately held company backed by leading technology investors, AEP Networks is based in Somerset, NJ, with European headquarters in London and a Government Solutions Group in Rockville, MD.

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