Features - Storage Innovations:

KASTEN CHASE UNVEILS ADVANCED SECURITY ARCHITECTURE FOR SANS

Kasten Chase, a leading provider of high-assurance data security solutions, has introduced an advanced security architecture for networked storage. Kasten Chase's Assurency Secure Networked Storage is the first storage security solution to introduce certificate-based authentication for a wide variety of storage network devices.

Together with Brocade, a leading provider of infrastructure solutions for Storage Area Networks (SANs), Kasten Chase demonstrated the new architecture at the Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) Security Summit in Colorado Springs. The SNIA Security Summit is an educational and collaborative event, bringing together storage networking security experts to review best practices and discuss how the storage networking industry can advance security technologies. The joint demonstration at the Summit was the first application of the Assurency solution extending security to components of the SAN fabric.

The Assurency Secure Networked Storage architecture features a tailor-made, programmable 'Agent' software designed for incorporation by third-party vendors into their storage networking products. Once operational, the Agent exchanges digital certificates with the Assurency Secure Networked Storage Appliance to effectively authenticate third-party products as they attach to the SAN fabric. The Assurency Secure Networked Storage Appliance issues, manages and validates digital certificates -- offering scalable, centralized authentication and trust management for storage networks. It offers SAN security with the assurances of certificate-based authentication, but without the cost, complexities and management overhead characteristic of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).

"Our architecture makes certificate-based authentication integral to the SAN fabric," said Hari Venkatacharya, Senior vice president, Secure Networked Storage at Kasten Chase. "Over time, our Assurency solution will allow for robust authentication of a wide variety of third-party storage products attaching to the SAN fabric, and will mean increased levels of trust for the storage environment and for organizations' sensitive data."

The extension of SAN security to include authentication of third-party devices positions Kasten Chase as a leader in the emerging market for secure networked storage. Already, the company is working with StorageTek -- an innovator and global leader in virtual storage solutions for tape automation, disk subsystems and storage networking -- to extend StorageTek's comprehensive product portfolio.

"As part of StorageTek's commitment to deliver complete SAN solutions to our customers, we are very excited to be part of the evaluation of Assurency Secure Networked Storage at our SAN Solutions Center in Toronto," said Kevin Mann, SAN specialist at StorageTek Canada. "I see the unique approach employed by Kasten Chase with Assurency Secure Networked Storage as having the ability to raise the bar for data protection throughout the entire SAN."

Kasten Chase designed the Assurency Agent to be sufficiently flexible as to support rapid adoption and deployment by storage product vendors. The company is in discussion with many such vendors, who see the benefits of extending robust authentication to their product suites.

"Our new architecture is a real strength for Kasten Chase and the Assurency Secure Networked Storage solution," said Paul Hyde, CEO at Kasten Chase. "We believe it will make Kasten Chase the trusted authority in providing comprehensive security for every component of the SAN environment."

End-to-End Protection

Traditional network security solutions provide transport and access security. Unlike traditional networks, a SAN requires not only transport and access security, but also persistent security for data at rest. As the components of the networked storage environment connect, there is a security threat at each junction. Comprehensive storage security must follow the entire data path, from the host server, through the SAN fabric, to the final destination -- the storage media.

Kasten Chase's Assurency Secure Networked Storage provides comprehensive, end-to-end security for networked data storage, including protection for data in transit, persistent security for data at rest, and enhanced trust in storage network devices. The solution provides these necessary safeguards through the introduction of strong, industry-standard encryption and certificate-based authentication for storage network components. It features a distributed, scaleable architecture that integrates seamlessly into storage environments and maintains the performance of storage networks.

Assurency Secure Networked Storage addresses the growing requirements to secure business-critical IT infrastructure, valuable proprietary information and customer data. It is a key component of enterprise strategies for business continuity and disaster recovery. The benefits for enterprise customers include robust protection of stored data against theft and misuse, and increased levels of trust that are integral to networked storage. These benefits are critical, particularly as enterprises face increasing pressure from government organizations and regulatory bodies to be more accountable for safeguarding stakeholders' information.

About Kasten Chase

Kasten Chase, a leader in high-assurance data security, builds trust and confidence in the connected world. Certified by the U.S. National Security Agency and pre-approved by the Canadian Communications Security Establishment, the company's RASP Data Security portfolio protects some of the most sensitive information in the world. Assurency, Kasten Chase's portfolio of commercial market solutions mitigates risk in the sharing and storage of sensitive information and enables business-critical applications and IT infrastructure for enterprise customers in government, financial services and health care. The company is a pioneer in the development of security solutions for networked data storage.

Kasten Chase achieved ISO-9001 certification in 1995.

Contact: John Carlesso, Investor Relations, 905-238-6900x3315, j.carlesso@kastenchase.com.