Industry Interview: SafeNet

MIT 2010 Volume: 14 Issue: 7 (August)

Q: What can you tell our readers about SafeNet and how your company serves the U. S. government?

A: SafeNet is a global leader in information security, protecting identities, transactions, data, communications and software licensing, serving more than 25,000 corporate and government customers in 100 countries. Our company maintains 550 encryption engineers holding more than 100 patents. We offer solutions for cloud computing, cybersecurity, assured information sharing and network encryption.

Both our commercial and government divisions offer solutions to the U.S. government that focus exclusively on design, development, production and support of Type 1-Certified products and systems and our Data Protection product line.

SafeNet has developed more than 80 high-assurance information security products, including satellite, ground, airborne and terrestrial applications. Type 1 cryptography is our heritage and hallmark. We were the first to market with a product that is compliant with the crypto modernization program. Because of our commercial domain expertise, we are in the midst of enabling a transformation toward solutions using open standards, Suite B cryptography and key management technologies. This transformation enables more rapid dissemination of actionable intelligence information to coalition partners, local police forces and first responders.

Q: You mentioned that your company provides network encryption solutions, and there seems to be a great debate about the future of High Assurance Internet Protocol Encryptor [HAIPE]. What is SafeNet doing to innovate in the area of government network encryption?

A: The goal of HAIPE was to globally connect every device. Unfortunately, organizations have found that as networks become larger, they become more complex, affecting performance and management. In today’s operating environment, where the success of the mission relies on the real-time delivery of information, the availability and performance of the network is paramount. In response, SafeNet began to work on Ethernet product solutions that addressed today’s higher performance needs.

Carrier Ethernet coupled with Ethernet Encryption have enabled organizations to deploy new applications with increased network performance at significant cost savings. At higher bandwidths such as 10 Gigabits, Ethernet technology can save as much as $250,000 per link over traditional WAN technologies such as SONET/SDH. With Ethernet, organizations purchase only the bandwidth they need.

We created a simple tool with Ethernet Encryption to secure networks without the complexity and performance limitations of HAIPE. We built it upon the design principles of our KIV-7M and KG-340 products and integrated it with our Security Management Center for management across multiple network platforms.

Q: How is Ethernet Encryption being used in commercial industries?

A: Ethernet can connect to either Layer 2 or Layer 3 services to create a dynamic and scalable networking solution. Ethernet services extend the familiar LAN environment to the WAN, leveraging expertise that already exists within the enterprise. Traditionally, Carrier Ethernet connects locations with high-bandwidth requirements. Data center traffic has been rapidly increasing for several years. The need for real-time transaction processing for sensitive information requires extremely low latency, and Ethernet offers this at a much lower cost compared to alternative WAN technologies.

Q: How do you see this technology evolving in the next few years?

A: Ethernet Encryption has been very successful in the commercial space, and we see this as an area for growth in the government space. SafeNet believes that soon government agencies will use Ethernet Encryption for classified communications as well. As the Department of Defense moves towards its next engagements around the world, Ethernet Encryption will become the preferred technology for establishing secure.

Q: Besides Ethernet Encryption, are there other new or recent developments that your company is bringing to the government space?

A: In January, SafeNet acquired Assured Decisions. With this new addition to our government business, we developed the Cyber Security Division. SafeNet Assured Decisions provides solutions and consulting services to help meet the government’s cybersecurity needs. The innovative Multi-Domain eXchange [MDeX] System is a cross-domain solution that facilitates the secure exchange of information quickly between departments and agencies.

SafeNet is proud of its long history of protecting the critical information assets of the U.S. government. Our experience and vision enable us to drive practical solutions to market that address the current mission, while innovating to meet the unforeseen challenges of the future. ♦

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