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List:       isn
Subject:    [ISN] SNS The First To Be Granted U.S. Export Licence For High Security Cryptography (
From:       mea culpa <jericho () dimensional ! com>
Date:       1998-09-24 7:43:36
[Download RAW message or body]


Forwarded From: Doug Simpson <DSimpson@securenet.com.au>

[Compaq isn't the first & only one! Don't forget the rest of the 
 world - Doug]


7th September 1998
Boost For Smart Aussie Company

SNS The First To Be Granted U.S. Export Licence For High Security
Cryptography

In a coup for Australian E-Commerce and secure business applications,
Microsoft and the US Government have granted approval for a license of
Microsoft's 1024 bit RSA Cryptographic Service to be provided in Australia
by local security and E-Commerce solutions provider Rotek Consulting, a
division of Secure Network Solutions Ltd (SNS). 

SNS Managing Director Geoffrey Ross says users of this technology will be
able to provide customers with smartcards without the risk of private key
exposure, with seamless integration to Microsoft applications. 

Restrictions on the use of highly secure technology from the US have
previously limited the growth of E-Commerce in Australia, however the
granting of the developer licence is a clear indication of confidence now
being placed in Australian business. Rotek Consulting is the company that
enabled the secure technology within Australia Post's KeyPost business.

"This is an important step in the recognition of SNS as the major player
in the provision of truly secure network solutions," Mr Ross says.  "Rotek
is now in a position to accelerate its work in delivering trusted
applications for the banking and finance sectors." 

Rotek intends to use this technology to integrate its smart card offerings
with the standard Microsoft cryptographic environment, as an extension of
its "TrustedNet" service. The high key length coupled with the physical
security of a smart card improves the digital signature strength to levels
required by banks and government agencies and is consistent with the
Federal Government's recently announced "Gatekeeper"  strategy.

Rotek's "TrustedNet" technology allows government, business and consumers
to use the same smart card for digitally signing their Internet banking
transactions and to secure messaging services using S/MIME. Security
certificates are issued internally by a company or through Australia
Post's Key Post service. 

"The granting of the export licence, an Australian first, enables Rotek to
provide seamless support of Microsoft applications including SSL client
certified processing. Most important to many of our customers, the
applications developed by Rotek enables smart card-based S/MIME support in
MS Exchange," says Rotek's General Manager, Ross Oakley. 

This development is seen as another important step in the integration of
smart cards into an "open security environment" which underpins the
"TrustedNet" application suite. Rotek has deployed "TrustedNet" in support
of banking, government and health applications worldwide. 

Australian businesses have been hesitant to embrace E-Commerce and secure
applications to date due to the lack of high data cryptography and open
standards in the issuing of smart cards and secure messaging. A high level
of trust is now afforded across a range of Microsoft applications opening
the way for simpler administration and reduced costs.




-o-
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