(GEN) NATO'S CLASSIFIED DATA TO BE STORED IN TURKISH MADE USB FLASH DRIVES.

KOCAELI, Sep 3, 2009 (TUR) -- NATO will start using NOLCE1, a crypto USB flash drive developed by Turkey, announced Thursday Turkey's National Research Institute of Electronics and Cryptology (UEKAE).

UEKAE promoted NOLCE1, the only crypto USB drive approved by NATO Military Council, at a press conference held in Kocaeli.

NOLCE1, the fifth Turkish product to make it into NATO's inventory, is capable of encrypting all sorts of classified information, and ensures secure storage of data. In the event of its loss, the data stored in the drive becomes inaccessible and any attempt to retrieve the data triggers automatic deletion.

Initially NATO placed an order for 602 of NOLCE1 drives, which is no larger than a credit card, 14 mm in thickness and 90 grams in weight.

"The orders are ready and will be shipped until the end of September and NATO personnel will start using it. Its small size makes it appealing. It will be used for the purposes of securing and storing data, one wants to carry around. No more than 10-15 years ago Turkey had to pay large sums of money to import crypto devices, but today Turkey has started exporting crypto devices," said Koray Arikan, UEKAE's research and development director.

UEKAE, an affiliate of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, produces and applies scientific and technological solutions in the areas of information security, communications and advanced electronics. UEKAE works on joint projects together with private sector companies and government authorities by utilizing the TEMPEST, Acoustics, Common Criteria and Cryptographic Algorithm Design and Test Centers and Product Development, Electronic Warfare, Microelectronics and Optoelectronics departments.

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