Ascend Communications and Security Dynamics Team Up to Deliver Encrypted VPN Starter Package; Bundled Package and Value Pricing Create Attractive VPN Solution.ALAMEDA, Calif. and BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 16, 1997--Ascend Communications Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on :ASND ASND A Streetcar Named Desire (play) ) and Security Dynamics Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:STDI STDI Small Town Design Initiative STDI Special Technical Development Investigation ) announced today a special "Encrypted VPN (Virtual Private Network) A private network that is configured within a public network (a carrier's network or the Internet) in order to take advantage of the economies of scale and management facilities of large networks. Starter Kit" that combines recently announced SecureConnect(TM) products from Ascend with SecurID(R) identification and authentication technology from Security Dynamics. The kit contains all the components needed for a complete and secure VPN solution -- IPSec-based end-to-end encryption Continuous protection of the confidentiality and integrity of transmitted information by encrypting it at the origin and decrypting at its destination. For example, a virtual private network (VPN) uses end-to-end encryption. Contrast with link encryption. , dynamic firewalls at every access point, and award-winning authentication technology. The Encrypted VPN Starter Kit will be specially bundled and value-priced to provide cogood reason. VPNs are an excellent way for coentication technologies in this solution provi the ability to verify the identity of remote users, secure information as it travels across the Internet, and ensure the identity of the intended recipient at the otnt The Encrypted VPN Starter Kit includes authentication software from Security Dynamics,opies of S ecure Access Person al Edition, a special version of Ascend's dynamic firewall and encryption technology designed for Windows(R)-95 and Windows NT (Windows New Technology) A 32-bit operating system from Microsoft for Intel x86 CPUs. NT is the core technology in Windows 2000 and Windows XP (see Windows). Available in separate client and server versions, it includes built-in networking and preemptive multitasking. based PCs -- 25 SecurID hardware tokens, Security Dynamics' two-factor authentication The use of two independent mechanisms for authentication; for example, requiring a smart card and a password. The combination is less likely to allow abuse than either component alone. See authentication. devices for remote users "To date, the applicability of VPNs has generally been limited to internal users only because 'trusted-site' relationships on intranets and extranets cannot be established without the use of strong authentication," said Dave Power, senior vice president of marketing and corporate development for Security Dynamics. "Yet extranet connectivity is one of the most interesting uses for VPNs. Heavily promoted by Fortune 1000 companies that understand the productivity gains of having secure communication links with partners, customers, and suppliers, this solution allows customers to rely on SecurID tokens and ACE/Server software as a trust mechanism, so that they can begin using encrypted VPNs for both intranet and extranet users." Automatic Key Generation, Centralized Key Management Besides offering high-performance VPN connectivity, the VPN Starter Kit is designed to provide a unique key management solution for companies that do not have a "trusted-site" relationship. To utilize this important feature, administrators use SAM's graphical interface See GUI. to define VPN tunnels that extend corporate intranets over the WAN or create extranet relationships with business partners and customers. Once all tunnels are defined and named, SAM automatically generates firewall objects and encryption keys for the "virtual" remote population. As remote users dial in, they must first authenticate themselves to the network using a SecurID token, which allows them to gain access to authorized resources on the enterprise. At that point, Ascend's Firewall Control Manager (FCM FCM See: Futures commission merchant FCM See futures commission merchant (FCM). ) determines whether a user is authorized to join a VPN. If so, the Secure Access Personal Edition software establishes a tunnel that extends to the dynamic firewall at the central site. Using Secure Socket Layer (SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) The leading security protocol on the Internet. Developed by Netscape, SSL is widely used to do two things: to validate the identity of a Web site and to create an encrypted connection for sending credit card and other personal data. ) technology which is based on RSA (1) (Rural Service Area) See MSA. (2) (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) A highly secure cryptography method by RSA Security, Inc., Bedford, MA (www.rsa.com), a division of EMC Corporation since 2006. It uses a two-part key. for key management and digital signatures, the FCM downloads an encryption key and a second firewall to the remote user's PC through that tunnel. The encryption key allows the PC software to extend VPN access into the enterprise, while the firewall blocks far-end entry to the tunnel. This double layer of firewalls is an important precaution. With the second firewall in place, intruders will be unable to enter the tunnel should the remote user decide to browse the Internet while the VPN is in session. "This is the perfect package for an organization, such as ours, whose business is selling integration services," says Gary Berzach at Tribecca Technologies. "Working together with local Internet service providers Internet service provider (ISP) Company that provides Internet connections and services to individuals and organizations. For a monthly fee, ISPs provide computer users with a connection to their site (see data transmission), as well as a log-in name and password. (ISPs), we can offer a complete VPN outsourcing solution to business customers. Businesses win, because they can reap the advantages of VPNs without adding any new infrastructure, yet maintain full control over the authentication of their user base. The ISP (1) See in-system programmable. (2) (Internet Service Provider) An organization that provides access to the Internet. Connection to the user is provided via dial-up, ISDN, cable, DSL and T1/T3 lines. wins, because it sells more access and can offer new services. And our organization wins, because we can provide integration at both ends." Pricing and Availability The Encrypted VPN Starter Kit will be available only in the U.S. from Clearwater, Fl.-based distributor Tech Data Corp. at a U.S. list price of $12,000. Priced separately the components of the Starter Kit sell for more than $18,000. The kits will start shipping this fall. Users must have an SSL-capable Web server in place to use the starter kit services securely. About Security Dmics' products employ patent-protected SecurIDphy, with more than 80 million copies of RSA encryption and authentication technologies installed and in use worldwide. Security Dynamics and RSA can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.securitydynamics.com/ and http://www.rsa.com/, respectively. About Ascend Communications Ascend Communications Inc. develops, manufaameda, CA 94502. Phone: 800/ASCEND4; Fax: 510/814- 2300. -0- Note to Editors: Pipeline is a registerproposed development of the Encrypted VPN Starter Kit sol ution by Security Dynamics and Ascend Communications, including the support of Security Dynamics' user authenticags, competitive pressures, technical difficultiec/sf* mi/sf CONTACT: Gallagher PR ll file on the Internet with Hyperlinks to your home page. URL URL in full Uniform Resource Locator Address of a resource on the Internet. The resource can be any type of file stored on a server, such as a Web page, a text file, a graphics file, or an application program. : http://www.businesswire.com |
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