Cisco Announces Advanced Security Access Control Servers; CiscoSecure Family Expands with Advanced Features and New Products.SAN JOSE San Jose, city, United States San Jose (sănəzā`, săn hōzā`), city (1990 pop. 782,248), seat of Santa Clara co., W central Calif.; founded 1777, inc. 1850. , Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 15, 1997--Cisco Systems, Inc. today extended its enterprise-wide security initiative with the release of the CiscoSecure(TM) access control server (ACS (Asynchronous Communications Server) See network access server. ) 2.0 for UNIX UNIX Operating system for digital computers, developed by Ken Thompson of Bell Laboratories in 1969. It was initially designed for a single user (the name was a pun on the earlier operating system Multics). . CiscoSecure ACS 2.0 integrates advanced new features that include token card authentication, a multiuser Two or more users. Web-based JAVA Graphical User Interface graphical user interface (GUI) Computer display format that allows the user to select commands, call up files, start programs, and do other routine tasks by using a mouse to point to pictorial symbols (icons) or lists of menu choices on the screen as opposed to having to (GUI (Graphical User Interface) A graphics-based user interface that incorporates movable windows, icons and a mouse. The ability to resize application windows and change style and size of fonts are the significant advantages of a GUI vs. a character-based interface. ) and full relational database support for storage of user and group profile information. Cisco is also announcing today CiscoSecure EasyACS 1.0, an entry-level access control server for Windows NT environments. Summer 1997 releases of the CiscoSecure for both UNIX and Windows NT platforms will include full support for the Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) security protocol. CiscoSecure access control servers supporting both the TACACS (Terminal Access Controller Access Control System) An access control protocol used to authenticate a user logging into the network. TACACS is a simple username/password system. + and RADIUS protocols will enable security administrators to efficiently deploy Cisco IOS(TM) security services across multivendor hardware environments. Cisco IOS software is a platform that delivers network services and enables networked applications. CiscoSecure ACS 2.0 integrates into the identity phase of the enterprise-wide security initiative and is used to authenticate users and determine which internal networks and services they may access. By authenticating users against a database of user and group profiles, the access control server effectively secures private enterprise and service provider networks from unauthorized access. CiscoSecure ACS 2.0, the second major release of CiscoSecure, delivers enhanced performance, compatibility and scalability. CiscoSecure EasyACS is designed to deliver basic security functions to branch office and start-up 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. environments. EasyACS leverages the easy-to-use Windows NT environment during installation and ongoing Web- based management. "As our network continues to expand and become increasingly sophisticated, it becomes more and more challenging to administer security services across the entire network infrastructure," said Sally Grant, assistant vice president of Network Development and Sustainment at USAA USAA United Services Automobile Association USAA Urban Superintendents Association of America USAA United States Achievement Academy USAA United States Arbitration Act of 1925 USAA United States Axemen's Association USAA United States Air-Table-Hockey Association . "With CiscoSecure ACS 2.0, we can control who is authorized to dial in, which services they may access, and which security services to administer." CiscoSecure ACS 2.0 for UNIX CiscoSecure ACS 2.0 incorporates a new, multiuser, Web-based JAVA configuration and management tool that simplifies server administration and enables multiple system administrators to simultaneously manage security services from multiple locations. The GUI supports Microsoft and Netscape Web browsers, providing multiplatform compatibility and offering secure administration via the industry-standard Secure Sockets Layer (networking, security) Secure Sockets Layer - (SSL) A protocol designed by Netscape Communications Corporation to provide secure communications over the Internet using asymmetric key encryption. (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. ) communication mechanism. Token cards from CRYPTOCard, Secure Computing Corporation and Security Dynamics Technologies are now fully supported. Token cards are the strongest method used today to authenticate users dialing in and prevent unauthorized users from accessing proprietary information. CiscoSecure ACS 2.0 now supports industry-leading relational database technologies from Sybase Inc. and Oracle Corporation. Traditional scalability, redundancy and non-distributed architecture limitations are removed with the integration of relational database technologies such as Sybase's SQL Anywhere. Storage and management of user and group profile information is greatly simplified. Additional features included in CiscoSecure ACS 2.0 include an automatic account disable for the prevention of brute force attacks and a server attribute called Maxsessions that limits the number of login sessions or ISDN ISDN in full Integrated Services Digital Network Digital telecommunications network that operates over standard copper telephone wires or other media. B channels required for a user or a Virtual Private Dial Network (VPDN VPDN Virtual Private Dialup Network VPDN Virtual Private Data Network (Infonet) VPDN Virtual Private Dial Network ) profile. CiscoSecure EasyACS CiscoSecure EasyACS is an entry-level access control server that operates on Windows NT servers. It enables user authentication against an NT user database or an EasyACS database file in addition to providing fundamental authorization and accounting. EasyACS is ideally suited to branch office environments where minimal technical support is available and in start-up ISP environments where services must be deployed quickly and cost-effectively. EasyACS delivers basic authentication, authorization, and accounting security functions and will be included at no additional charge with all Cisco dial access servers as part of a complete dial access solution. EasyACS is also managed with an easy-to-use Web-based GUI. In addition to protecting networks from unauthorized access, the CiscoSecure family of products are used control access to the configuration of Cisco routers and Internet access through Cisco firewalls. CiscoSecure products are the most scalable way to deploy Cisco IOS security services and control access in dynamically changing and growing network environments. "As Cisco continues to build momentum in dial access networks with new dial platforms, access control and security now play an increasingly important role," said Kevin Kennedy, vice president and general manager of the Access Business Unit at Cisco Systems. "With CiscoSecure 2.0, CiscoSecure EasyACS, and support for RADIUS and TACACS+ security protocols, security administrators can now effectively deploy Cisco IOS security services from multiple locations, across multiple vendor platforms, with an easy to use Web-based interface." Pricing and Availability CiscoSecure ACS 2.0 is immediately available at a U.S. list price of $3,000. CiscoSecure EasyACS will be generally available with all Cisco dial access servers in May 1997. About Cisco Systems Cisco Systems 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 : CSCO CSCO Cisco Systems Incorporated (stock symbol) CSCO Chief Supply Chain Officer ) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information are available at http://www.cisco.com . -0- Note to Editors: Cisco IOS, CiscoSecure and Cisco Systems are trademarks, and Cisco and the Cisco logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks or registered service marks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. CONTACT: Cisco Systems, Inc. Michael Hakkert, 408/526-4794 mhakkert@cisco.com |
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