SafeNet, whose VPN client software for PCs is used by more than 30 other VPN vendors, has come out with new client software that supports Advanced Encryption Standard.
Called High Assurance VPN Remote Client, the software can run on any Windows PC, and may be of interest to government agencies. AES is the latest government approved encryption standard that is interoperable with IPSec VPNs, and SafeNet is in the process of getting Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) certification for it. FIPS compliance is necessary before equipment can be used by government agencies.
In addition to AES, the new client supports use of digital certificates stored on Microsoft Internet Explorer Web browsers as part of secure IPSec negotiations.
It is available now and supports gateways that are IPSec compliant. The software can also create IPSec connections with other clients, so single PCs can secure IP traffic without use of a gateway.
A new customer of SafeNet client software is VPN gateway maker ServGate.
The company is using SafeNet's SoftRemote VPN client as the basis of its ServGate VPN client, which is used to connect remote PCs and laptops to ServGate VPN gateways via IPSec tunnels. These gateways include the ServGate EdgeForce modular gateway and the SG300 regional office gateway. ServGate also makes the SG100 telecommuter appliance that supports the VPN and firewall.
ServGate sprang onto the VPN stage last year with plans to push high-end gear to protect data centers, but has pushed down into lower-end gear.
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Tim Greene is a senior editor at Network World, covering virtual private networking gear, remote access, core switching and local phone companies. You can reach him at tgreene@nww.com.
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