Alliance AES Encryption Is Now The Only NIST-Certified Data Base Encryption Solution For All Supported Releases Of IBM i (OS/400)
Patrick Townsend Security Solutions (PTSS) announced it has attained three more validation certificates from NIST (the National Institute of Standards and Technology). The company's Alliance AES database encryption solution is now NIST Certified for IBM i V5R4, V6R1, and V7R1. With this certification, the company becomes the only database encryption vendor to offer NIST certification on all currently supported releases of IBM i and OS/400.
Proof of the PTSS certified validations are available on the NIST website.
NIST certification provides assurance to organizations that their encryption solution is interoperable across the enterprise and their data is secured to the highest standards. For the enterprise, certification means the encryption method used will present predictable results for encrypting and decrypting data across a variety of platforms. To earn certification, software must work the same way for all NIST defined encryption tasks. The standards and processes set forth by NIST ensure that only the most dedicated security vendors will meet its validation requirements.
"Our customers deserve the assurance only NIST certification provides, " said John Earl PTSS CEO. "The decision to undergo the process was easy. It was the actual testing process that proved to be the challenge. It is extensive, time consuming, and costly. Half the vendors that apply for certification fail the first time, so it's no wonder that many never earn certification. The end result, however, is well worth all the effort. When we say PTSS provides the most comprehensive data privacy solutions available, we mean it and our NIST certification in hand, ensures it. Certification enables us to guarantee the market that our encryption offerings will always meet PCI, HIPAA and HITECH encryption standards."
The company furthers its commitment to set the highest standard in data encryption technology by backing its encryption offerings with a guarantee. PTSS guarantees that its encryption and key management solutions will always meet PCI and HIPAA encryption and key management standards. Some regulations refer to NIST certification solutions as a best practice for data privacy management. The HITECH Act specifically mentions NIST certified database encryption as a means to obtain Safe Harbor from reporting data breaches. It is only a matter of time before other regulations follow suit. To date, PTSS is the only company in the data privacy sector offering this type of guarantee.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology sets the standard for AES encryption. NIST established five modes of encryption tests that can be used with AES. In addition, NIST defines 3 key sizes for encryption 128-bit, 192-bit and 256-bit. It is up to the software vendor seeking validation to select the mode or modes to obtain certification, most vendors select one or two. PTSS is certified in all 5 modes of encryption and all 3 key sizes.
Alliance AES is now certified for all supported releases of IBMi and OS/400 and is also certified across the Enterprise including: Microsoft Windows, Linux, UNIX, and IBMz. Alliance AES is guaranteed to meet PCI and HIPAA guidelines and standards for encryption.
SOURCE: Patrick Townsend Security Solutions