CipherOptics Delivers Most Extensive Protocol Protection in the Industry with Launch of Ethernet Security Gateway.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Solution Provides Layer 2 Data Protection, Providing Safe Passage for all Ethernet Data Traffic Without the Complexity and Cost of IP Networking Architecture

CipherOptics Inc., the leading innovator of solutions for Protecting Data in Motion(TM), today announces the launch of the CipherOptics Ethernet Security Gateway line of products - the industry's most comprehensive solution for ensuring the security of data in transit over Ethernet networks for both Gigabit and 10/100 Ethernet network requirements. Offering full-duplex high performance at Gigabit and 10/100 speeds with low encryption overhead and virtually no latency, the CipherOptics Ethernet Security Gateway secures data regardless of communications protocol and enables customers to protect data in transit over high-speed Ethernet Campus Networks, Metro Ethernet Networks and even internal core networks with no impact on current network operations.

Moving from private, leased lines to Metro Ethernet and wide-area Ethernet networks is crucial for organizations looking to reduce costs while responding to the need for increased bandwidth, caused by the convergence of data, voice and video onto a single network. Because Ethernet networks use a shared network infrastructure with un-trusted third parties, these networks are considered less secure and more vulnerable to possible attacks.

Many customers deploy encryption as a proven best practice, and the CipherOptics Ethernet Security Gateway addresses this requirement by encrypting data in transit and provides logical or deterministic firewall support. Simply put, the CipherOptics Ethernet Security Gateway inspects every packet sourced from the less secure network and any packet that wasn't encrypted with the correct key or modified in any way, is rejected. This provides additional protection for enterprise LAN environments.

Rapid industry adoption of broadband wireless, metropolitan area networks, and Ethernet private line and transparent LAN services necessitates encrypting the entire Ethernet payload so that IP protocols, as well as non-IP protocols, are properly secured. Customers can encrypt Ethernet traffic at full-duplex, Gigabit speed with the CipherOptics ESG1002 - with virtually no latency - or at 100Mbps with CipherOptics ESG100, providing maximum security for all Ethernet data traffic.

"With recent networking advances, Ethernet services are more and more attractive to our customers because they enable high-bandwidth, cost-effective, network connections - resulting in a 40%-60% cost savings," said Ron Willis, president and CEO, CipherOptics. "The CipherOptics ESG1002 and CipherOptics ESG100 not only give our customers the ability to secure this vulnerable link, but allows them to control any risks on-site - an invaluable benefit in securing data in motion to meet today's complex security and compliance mandates."

Part of CipherOptics' Security Gateway family of products, the CipherOptics ESG1002 and ESG100 are purpose-built appliances that easily integrate into the existing network and operate without consuming valuable network resources. Protecting any Ethernet data protocol including IPv4, IPv6, IPX and others, the ESG1002/ESG100 features micro-second range latency to allow for high performance voice and video applications on campus or Metro Ethernet networks and offers a non-disruptive, transparent, bump-in-the-wire architecture that is easy to implement.

With the encryption of sensitive data an integral part of regulatory best practices, CipherOptics Ethernet Security Gateway also enables enterprises and government agencies to build a robust security infrastructure that will help withstand the scrutiny of a security audit. The flexibility of the CipherOptics ESG1002 and CipherOptics ESG100 also make them valuable tools in ensuring industry best practices for compliance with such regulations as Graham-Leach-Bliley, California SB1386 and HIPAA by preserving the chain of trust as data is moved over a shared Ethernet network.

About CipherOptics

CipherOptics, the leading innovator of solutions for Protecting Data in Motion, has been providing best-in-breed data security solutions to a growing list of top customers including large enterprises, top financial institutions, Fortune 100 companies, healthcare organizations, and government agencies. CipherOptics security gateways protect data in motion with virtually no impact to network operations or management. CipherOptics solutions leverage robust industry-standard 256 bit AES encryption capabilities and provide the best total cost of ownership, performance, network transparency and ease of implementation in its class of products. The CipherOptics family of security gateways is field-proven in some of the most security-conscious networks in the world, and has received FIPS-140-2 Level 2 validation and Common Criteria certification. For more information please see www.cipheroptics.com.