Thales e-Security's New ESCON Host Security Module Offers Integration With the Highest Performance IBM Systems.

Business Editors/Technology Writers

Thales e-Security, a leading supplier of electronic/banking and payment security solutions, has introduced a new addition to its extensive range of Host Security Modules (HSMs). Thales' new RG7710, together with the Security Resource Manager (SRM), offers integration with IBM System 390 environments using the high speed Enterprise System Connection (ESCON) interface.

The introduction of the RG7710 coincides with the release of a new standard version of HSM firmware available for all existing HSMs. This provides the functionality to support remote key loading for Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) and upgrades the EMV Chip Card support.

On announcing the latest version of the company's ubiquitous HSM, Phil Naybour, Thales e-Security's managing director, said: "The RG7710 provides the transaction processing power for the most demanding systems and the remote key loading features will revolutionize the management of ATMs."

Since its introduction in the mid-1990's, ESCON has gradually replaced the copper channel interface, also known as the bus and tag or parallel interface, as the standard interconnection architecture in IBM System 390 environments. Thales' new RG7710 supports the migration from copper channel to fiber optic technology, allowing users to take advantage of its world leading processing capabilities, which offers speeds approaching 1,000 transactions per second.

Offering low-cost of ownership for users migrating from copper channel to fiber optic, the Thales RG7710 HSM firmware is fully compatible with the previous generation of high-speed channel modules (RG7210), requiring no modification. In addition, an attractive conversion package for existing RG7210 users with maintenance contracts is available.

Future proofing the users' investment, the new firmware supports the growing number of banks issuing, or planning to issue, EMV cards with offline PIN (Personal Identification Number) capability. Also providing increased system security for the future, the HSM's Single-DES capability may be disabled as financial institutions migrate from Single to Triple-DES.

Ensuring that backwards compatibility is maintained for existing HSM users, Thales has built on the extensive Triple-DES, RSA and EMV capabilities provided by the current base release of firmware.

Providing enhanced security and significant cost savings, the latest firmware enables the initialisation and replacement of ATM master keys to be automated simplifying compliance with the unique key mandates, using extended RSA commands to support remote key loading for NCR & Diebold ATMs.

Thales e-Security is an established world leader in the supply of cryptographic security products and solutions used to protect a range of critical information infrastructures. Operating in three main markets covering e-security, card payment and network security, Thales e-Security addresses the business security needs of corporates and governments alike. Over half of the world's banks, together with the majority of the busiest exchanges, currently use Thales technology. For more than 20 years the company has been at the forefront of security and payment technology, co-operating and contributing to set the industry standards used for financial transactions and e-commerce globally.

Thales is one of Europe's largest professional electronics groups and a world leader in three areas: Aerospace, Defense, and Information Technology & Services. In 2001, Thales generated revenues of 10.23 billion Pounds Sterling and now has close to 65,000 employees worldwide.

Note to Editors: Photography to illustrate this release is available via email on request. Visit Thales e-Security's web site at http://www.thales-esecurity.com