Phoenix Joins NAC Program to Harden Customers' Ability to Secure and Protect Their Networks
Business Editors/High-Tech Editors
MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 16, 2005--
Network Admission Control Program Will Include Phoenix TrustConnector "Secure from the Start" Solutions to Authenticate Enterprise PCs and Devices Phoenix Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ:PTEC) today announced that it has joined the Network Admission Control (NAC) program, an industry-wide effort to protect enterprise networks from IT threats introduced by endpoint devices and lower the high costs of security breaches.
The NAC program, a Cisco-sponsored industry effort, focuses on utilizing the network infrastructure to enforce security policy compliance on all devices seeking to access network computing resources, thereby limiting damage from viruses and worms. NAC is part of the Cisco Self-Defending Network, the Cisco security strategy to increase network intelligence in order to enable the network to automatically identify, prevent, and adapt to security threats.
As part of the NAC program, the Phoenix TrustConnector product validates and strengthens Cisco NAC-enabled components by integrating with the Cisco Trust Agent.
Phoenix delivers a pre-OS security framework with TrustConnector that is gaining momentum among system integrators for its ability to authenticate devices connected to networks and improve security of certificate-based Windows applications. Companies such as NTT Data, SafeNet, VeriSign and others are marketing and deploying Phoenix TrustConnector to help enterprise customers authenticate devices and device endpoints, and thereby deliver network security.
NAC addresses a broad and growing concern among enterprise customers, namely, the high costs of network failures and downtime that are introduced through digital devices, including mobile PCs, desktop PCs and servers, that are not compliant with network policies or known to be trusted computing devices. By using devices that support NAC, customers can design their infrastructure to allow network access only to compliant and trusted endpoint devices and restrict access of non-compliant devices.
"Device authentication is a primary security concern for organizations with networks that span corporate headquarters, remote offices, business partners, and employees who work in the field. Enterprises and government departments, who are acutely aware of network infrastructure vulnerabilities, have asked us to help ensure that all points of their networks are secure," said Russell Rice, director of product management in the Security Technology Group (STG) at Cisco Systems. "Phoenix TrustConnector's integration with NAC will help enable built-in device authentication to IP networks and helps prevent unauthorized access of devices to networks. This helps enterprises to protect their networks from viruses and other threats by rejecting connections from unregistered or unauthorized devices, and reduce corporate leakage of confidential information. This TrustConnector capability, which can be implemented across corporate enterprises into existing PCs and digital devices, further strengthens NAC and allows enterprises to more strictly enforce security policy compliance."
"Through our participation in the Cisco NAC program, we will increase customers' peace of mind by helping to ensure that devices entering and using the resources of enterprise networks are trusted," said Michael D. Goldgof, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Corporate Marketing and Product Divisions for Phoenix Technologies. "Our support of the NAC infrastructure in our range of security offerings, including TrustConnector, also will allow our device manufacturer and distribution partners to deliver greater security in new devices as well as existing devices used by their customers."
About Phoenix TrustConnector
Phoenix TrustConnector is an advanced software product that enables authentication of devices connected to networks, making devices trustworthy and protecting networks against attacks. It also enhances the security of certificate-based Microsoft Windows applications. Private keys for these applications can now be stored securely on the device -- without requiring additional hardware -- by encrypting them with device profile information.
Phoenix partners who deploy TrustConnector include system integrator SafeNet and global network infrastructure services leader VeriSign in the United States and NTT Data in Japan, which offers it to customers in diverse industries ranging from automobile manufacturing to arcade gaming.
About Cisco Systems Network Admission Control (NAC)
Network Admission Control (NAC) is a Cisco Systems sponsored industry initiative that uses the network infrastructure to enforce security policy compliance on all devices seeking to access network computing resources, thereby limiting damage from viruses and worms. Network Admission Control is a strategic program in which Cisco shares technology features with approved program participants. Participants design and sell third-party client and server applications that incorporate these features that are compatible with the Network Admission Control (NAC) infrastructure.
Using NAC, organizations can provide network access to endpoint devices such as PCs, PDAs, and servers that are verified to be fully compliant with established security policy. NAC can also identify noncompliant devices and deny them access, place them in a quarantined area, or give them restricted access to computing resources.
The NAC Program is open to all Independent Software Vendors (ISV). For more information, visit
www.cisco.com/go/nac about program requirements and how to apply.
About Phoenix Technologies
Phoenix Technologies develops a complete product suite of Core System Software, tools and applications to deliver trusted, seamless computing to digital devices for an Internet-connected world. Phoenix Technologies helped launch the PC industry nearly 25 years ago. Today the company is extending its leadership and knowledge at the core of machines, beyond the PC to a wide range of platforms and devices.
Phoenix Core System Software has set the standard for the world's leading branded PC OEMs and their global network of supply chain and software partners. Today, Phoenix solutions enable, secure, connect, and recover the world's best-known systems. These solutions are built into the device core, where they are protected from viruses, user errors, hackers, and corruption. Phoenix is headquartered in Milpitas, Calif. (Silicon Valley), with offices in global business and technology centers. For more information, visit
www.phoenix.com.
Phoenix, Phoenix Technologies, the Phoenix Technologies logo, and TrustConnector are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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CONTACT: The Hoffman Agency Rob Carpio, 408-975-3071 rcarpio@hoffman.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE NETWORKING INTERNET E-COMMERCE PRODUCT MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
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