Thales Achieves Further International Security Certification for Datacryptor

Long Crendon, 13 December 2004: Thales today announces the first Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level 5 (EAL5) approval for a network security product and the first EAL5 certificate to be issued by the UK Certification Body. In addition to an EAL5 evaluation, Datacryptor also has an EAL 4 approval; EAL4 is the highest level of CC for which arrangements for mutual recognition exist between the 16 signatory nations which include the UK, USA, France, Germany and Canada. These certifications reaffirm the Datacryptor as offering the strongest levels of security for a COTS (Commercial-Off-The-Shelf) platform.

The Datacryptor 2000 product provides strong and certified perimeter security for a wide range of network architectures including leased lines, Frame Relay, X.25 and IP. The product has already received FIPS 140-1 Level 3 certification and is currently being validated against the FIPS 140-2 standard at Level 3. The product has also received CESG Assisted Products Scheme (CAPS) approvals at Enhanced Grade in the UK.

Paul Jackson, head of the communication security activities of Thales, said: "Datacryptor is already recognised as a leading product in the hardware encryption space. Already certified by other leading bodies such as NIST/CSE and CESG, this new EAL5 approval underlines Thales' desire to ensure the strength of our security products through independent certification to the highest possible levels. Our customers in the military, government and financial arenas demand network security products which offer flexibility and a low cost of ownership together with strong cryptographic and key management techniques. This latest independent certification confirms Datacryptor as a class leader in the provision of network security. "