SafeNet and Compaq Join to Secure Wireless Transactions

February 21, 2002 -- (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) -- SafeNet Inc. (safenet-inc.com), a leading provider of Internet security technology, and a standard in the virtual private network industry, and technology giant Compaq Computer Corporation (compaq.com) announced on Wednesday a joint effort to provide enhanced security for wireless transactions. According to the agreement, SafeNet will embed Compaq’s MultiPrime security technology into upcoming versions of its security processors.

MultiPrime is designed to increase the performance of public Key cryptography on server and client platforms, enabling high-speed performance and enhanced security on small footprint devices such as PDAs, cell phones and pagers. Integrating Multiprime into hardware or software for wireless devices, say the companies, can increase their performance by as much as 50 percent.

SafeNet will include the MultiPrime technology in its SafeXcel silicon solutions in order to accelerate Secure Socket Layer and IPSec transactions in wireless applications. The MultiPrime technology will also compliment SafeNet’s SoftRemotePDA VPN software for Palm Powered handheld devices.

"We're pleased to expand our relationship with Compaq by embedding MultiPrime technology into our product line," said CJ Koomen, Chairman, SafeNet Europe. "MultiPrime is a unique technology, which allows low power, small footprint wireless devices to interoperate efficiently with the vast number of already deployed security gateways. With MultiPrime, existing gateways can support wireless devices without the requirement of upgrading the gateway to new encryption algorithms. The combination of MultiPrime and our SafeNet technology is ideally suited for the needs of the fast growing wireless market."

The new arrangement expands on an existing relationship between the two companies. Compaq’s AXL300 Accelerator PCI Card, a specialized co-processor designed to accelerate SSL cryptographic processing, is based on SafeNet’s SafeXcel-ISES chip.