PKWARE adds strong encryption to PKZIP for MVS.PKWARE, Inc., the pioneer and leading provider of Trusted ZIP Solutions, has revealed a new version of its award-winning PKZIP for MVS (Multiple Virtual Storage) Introduced in 1974, the primary operating system used with IBM mainframes (the others are VM and DOS/VSE). MVS is a batch processing-oriented operating system that manages large amounts of memory and disk space. product with enhanced security capabilities that gives enterprises a new tool for efficiently transmitting sensitive information securely and achieving compliance with privacy legislation. PKZIP for MVS combines leading data compression data compression Process of reducing the amount of data needed for storage or transmission of a given piece of information (text, graphics, video, sound, etc.), typically by use of encoding techniques. and encryption technologies, including 256-bit AES strong encryption An encryption method that uses a very large number as its cryptographic key. The larger the key, the longer it takes to unlawfully break the code. Today, 256 bits is considered strong encryption. As computers become faster, the length of the key must be increased. to help enterprises and their partners simplify, speed and secure the exchange of health insurance claims, credit card transactions, payrolls, stock trades and other confidential or proprietary information while protecting personal privacy. In support of PKWARE's enterprise cross-platform strategy, the company has also announced the availability of PKZIP for OS/400, also incorporating enhanced security features. (Note to editors: Please see release titled "PKWARE Adds Strong Encryption to PKZIP for OS/400," dated 1/29/03.) PKZIP's industry-standard compression capabilities can reduce file sizes by up to 95 percent, greatly reducing bandwidth, storage requirements and transmission times, while its 100 percent ZIP file (1) A file that contains one or more files that have been compressed into the ZIP format. Also called a "ZIP archive," "zipped file" or "zipped archive," the ZIP algorithm is the most popular compression method in use. Not Just the . cross-platform compatibility ensures easy data transfer and interoperability. Strong AES encryption guarantees the highest level of data security both during transmission and while stored in the compressed archive. PKZIP for MVS now offers the easiest, most secure way for mainframe administrators to store and transmit sensitive personal information. "PKZIP is a powerful solution. At Gilsbar, we exchange large files with our insurance provider clients, and the software's interoperability between MVS, Windows and other computing platforms makes data transmission easy and practically instantaneous," said Gene Knobloch, IS development manager for Gilsbar, Inc. "Not only does PKZIP enable us and our partners to free up bandwidth and storage of enterprise systems, but the software's strong encryption capabilities help us to more easily achieve HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act of 1996, Public Law 104-191) Also known as the "Kennedy-Kassebaum Act," this U.S. law protects employees' health insurance coverage when they change or lose their jobs (Title I) and provides standards for patient health, compliance by ensuring that sensitive files we transmit and archive are secured." "With the passage of HIPAA and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, also known as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act, Pub. L. No. 106-102, 113 Stat. 1338 (November 12, 1999), is an Act of the United States Congress which repealed the Glass-Steagall Act, opening up competition , businesses are under increasing pressure to take the necessary steps to protect privacy as they make greater use of more efficient electronic information processing," said Steve Crawford, chief marketing officer of PKWARE. "The strong encryption added to PKZIP helps businesses to do both with an easy-to-deploy method for securing data that also reduces bandwidth and storage needs." The privacy provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1996. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website, Title I of HIPAA protects health insurance coverage for workers and their families when of 1996 (HIPAA), which take effect April 14, 2003, protect medical records and other personal health information created or maintained by health care providers, health insurers and others who engage in certain electronic transactions. Under the privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, also known as the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, banks, credit card companies and other financial institutions that provide financial products or services to consumers must ensure the security and confidentiality of customer records and information, protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of these records and protect against unauthorized access or use. PKWARE was the first to introduce ZIP file compression to the midrange and mainframe market in 1993, and since then PKZIP has been installed at thousands of MVS sites worldwide, significantly reducing operating costs and batch processing (1) Performing a particular operation automatically on a group of files all at once rather than manually opening, editing and saving one file at a time. For example, graphics software that converts a selection of images from one format to another would be a batch processing utility. time while providing data integrity and security. The Advanced Encryption Standard (cryptography, algorithm) Advanced Encryption Standard - (AES) The NIST's replacement for the Data Encryption Standard (DES). The Rijndael /rayn-dahl/ symmetric block cipher, designed by Joan Daemen and Vincent Rijmen, was chosen by a NIST contest to be AES. (AES) is a Federal Information Processing Standard Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) are publicly announced standards developed by the United States Federal government for use by all non-military government agencies and by government contractors. (FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards) A series of publications issed by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that specifies information security guidelines for federal government departments and agencies. ) developed for use by U.S. Government organizations to protect sensitive information, and is widely expected to gain broad industry support. While others may offer ZIP-compatible software, only PKWARE sets the ZIP standard--used universally throughout the industry to ensure quality and interoperability--and delivers enterprise-strength solutions across multiple platforms with the service and support enterprise customers require. PKZIP for MVS with strong AES encryption is available now, and the cost depends on server configuration. A free, fully functional evaluation version of the software is available, as well as implementation-specific consulting services. |
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