Voice and data networks are essential to many organizations' operations. Banks require funds transfer networks to operate securely and reliably to process transactions; military forces require targeting commands for missile batteries to arrive on-time and without error; and civilian government agencies, like the SEC or Social Security, require information to get where it is needed to provide timely services. Networks that must remain on-line virtually 100% of the time are called mission-critical networks.
Any stoppage of a mission-critical network results in the loss of money, services, or even the loss of life. For this reason, mission-critical networks require:
- High availability and reliability
- Predictable performance
- Resiliency, a means to recover if the network is down
- Management applications to identify and quickly fix problems
The information sent on a mission-critical network is also often sensitive. Therefore, a high percentage of mission-critical networks require encryption systems like TCC's products. However, these mission-critical encryption systems must also provide the reliability, predictability, resiliency, and management required in any mission-critical product. TCC's strategy is to produce clearly 'best in market' products to address the unique requirements of sensitive mission-critical networks.
TCC's new Cipher X 7100 frame relay encryption system along with the KEYNETTM secure management application is ideal for securing mission-critical data sent over wide area networks that span the U.S. or the world. Frame relay is a fast growing data communication service. Frame relay provides the quality of service guarantees that make it a better choice than the less reliable Internet for delivery of mission-critical data.
Many banks have already moved from private network leased lines to public network frame relay to save money on their telecommunications bill. However, public networks have a higher risk of being compromised. The Cipher X 7100 allows a bank or government agency to maintain the high security of a private network while taking advantage of the cost savings offered by public networks, thus creating a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN).
The Company's Cipher X 7100 is the secure frame relay solution that meets the ANSI X9.17 banking security standard for centralized key management. This standard defines 'Prudent Business Practice' and provides liability protection for banks. Additionally, TCC believes its KEYNET secure management application provides the easiest way of creating security groups and monitoring their performance on the market today.
The first Cipher X 7100 customer was the SEC, which is using the products to secure sensitive data communications between their offices across the U.S. As the focused sales and marketing campaign proceeds, market share of the Cipher X 7100 will be established in fiscal 1999. During that time, future releases of the Cipher X product will enhance mission-critical benefits to maintain its leadership in this category.
TCC has select exclusive worldwide distribution rights to certain Lucent-developed secure telephone and fax products. The secure telephone products include an executive telephone model, the CSD 4100, and a lower cost secure attachment for existing telephones, the CSD 3600. TCC believes this two-tier product strategy is unique in the marketplace and gives TCC the lowest cost solution in the market. Since the CSD 3600 connects between the handset and telephone, it has the unique advantage of working with modern digital telephone networks found in most offices.
The Company believes the CSD 3700 fax security system is the only product in the market with a secure mailbox and an easy-to-use touch screen interface. Since many security breaches come from insiders, storing the faxes in an electronic mailbox prevents someone from reading a fax sitting at the fax machine.
Military organizations use data networks in very demanding environmental conditions including high and low temperatures, rain, blowing sand, and high humidity. TCC is a market leader in providing ruggedized military encryption products for use in the international market. The DSD 72A-SP is in use today protecting the missile firing commands for the Patriot and HAWK missile systems. TCC's equipment provides the reliability required in these critical systems.
The ruggedized data encryption products contain unique encryption algorithms. For example, TCC's SNARKTM algorithm is the only approved algorithm for securing certain missile data links. In other cases, a classified foreign national algorithm has been added to TCC's products. This algorithm versatility is unique in the market and essential for these extremely high security applications.
Commanders running military organizations require not only secure office systems, but they must also be able to talk securely to soldiers in the field, on ships, or in the air. TCC believes its Commander's Net is the only internationally available secure voice system that provides this capability. It is a necessary secure voice solution for virtually every military or law enforcement organization.
A Commander sitting in his office can make secure telephone calls to other Officers using the CSD 3324E secure telephone. Using the same CSD 3324E, the Commander can securely speak with a soldier using a radio and a product in TCC's DSP 9000 secure radio family. The DSP 9000 is available in infantry, naval, and airborne configurations and can withstand the rigors of a hostile, military environment.
Cipher X is a registered trademark, KEYNET and SNARK are trademarks of Technical Communications Corporation