nCipher plc (LSE:NCH), a global leader in protecting critical enterprise data, today announced that it has reengineered its cryptographic hardware platforms. Highlights of the next generation product line include a flagship nShield hardware security module (HSM) that meets the stringent FIPS 140-2 Level 3 security certification while having the power to process more than 4000 encryption operations per second, a five-fold increase over previous models.

This product line upgrade comes at a time when organizations are looking for solutions to allow them to deploy encryption and other cryptographic techniques across more and more applications. In a recent Enterprise Strategy Group survey, 64 percent of respondents cited performance as the major barrier to encrypting confidential data.

"Compliance and stringent data protection initiatives are driving more and more organizations to deploy HSMs to protect and manage keys in a way that is impossible using software alone," said Josh Rosenthol, product manager at nCipher. "As our customers deploy encryption and digital signature technology more widely, they need to be sure that their security systems have enough capacity to handle high volume operations and unpredictable peaks in business activity."

Additional enhancements include a major performance upgrade of the company's netHSM product, a network-attached HSM that enables a single HSM to be cost-effectively shared by multiple applications. Both the nShield and netHSM now support the latest encryption algorithms such as Elliptic Curve Cryptography and provide a high-performance platform for nCipher's cryptographic toolkits, including CipherTools and CodeSafe that uses nCipher's unique Secure Execution Engine to protect the execution of sensitive application software in addition to cryptographic keys.

nCipher initiated the reengineering of its cryptographic hardware security product line, which includes its HSMs, SSL Acceleration, timestamping and document signing, as well as other related encryption solutions, to comply with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive (2002/95/EC) of the European Parliament. The RoHS directive, which restricts the use of hazardous substances for electrical and electronic equipment within the European Union, takes effect on July 1, 2006.

"While many product manufacturers may view environmental compliance as a necessary burden, here at nCipher we took it as an opportunity to produce a next-generation product," said Rosenthol. "Our commitment to bringing our customers the most up to date technology has enabled us to react quickly to these changing market needs. While other companies will be racing against the calendar just to meet the requirements of the legislation, we have complied with the legislation months ahead of the deadline and delivered a better, faster and more environmentally friendly product line."

About nCipher
nCipher protects critical enterprise data for many of the world's most security-conscious organizations. Delivering solutions in the fields of identity management, data protection, enterprise key management and cryptographic hardware, nCipher enables businesses to identify who can access data, to protect data in transit and at rest, and to comply with the growing number of privacy-driven regulations. nCipher plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:NCH). www.ncipher.com


Source : BusinessWire