WALTHAM, Mass. – October 6, 2003 – Colubris Networks, a global provider of intelligent Wi-Fi wireless networking devices for operators of large public and enterprise networks, today announced that two of its products have been named as the first and only Wi-Fi certified access devices to be awarded Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 certification. Designed to drive a best-in-class approach to information security, FIPS 140-2 is a U.S. and Canadian government standard that dictates the manner in which cryptographic software and data encryption algorithms must be implemented.
As a result, organizations requiring adherence to FIPS – notably government agencies in the U.S. and Canada – can widely deploy Colubris Networks’ CN1050-FIPS and CN1054-FIPS intelligent Wi-Fi access devices throughout their networks. Until now, such organizations were impeded from adopting Wi-Fi because the wireless products available to them were either not 802.11 Wi-Fi standards-based or not FIPS certified.
“FIPS certification enables IT managers through-out the Federal Government to implement WLAN’s with increased confidence in their security.” said Paul Hession, Director General, Information Management and Technology Services, Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Colubris Networks’ CN1050-FIPS and CN1054-FIPS intelligent Wi-Fi access devices, which are based on the company’s flagship enterprise products, are the first to fulfill both requirements. Leveraging IPsec and secure key management techniques to meet the FIPS benchmarks, both products feature on-board encryption capabilities to perform these functions at full throughput on 802.11b Wireless LANs (WLANs).
Certification of the Colubris Networks products culminates a rigorous 14-month design, documentation and testing process, and followed guidelines set forth by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Canadian Communications Security Establishment (CSE). The U.S. and Canadian governments have mandated FIPS certification for a range of applications when deployed by its agencies.
“Security remains among the most critical requirements for organizations seeking to capitalize on the productivity and cost benefits that wireless access provides,” said Pierre Trudeau, chief technology officer of Colubris Networks. “That’s especially true for government agencies, where the nature of the information being exchanged as well as mobility and timely access to important data are critical. We also expect that other organizations with high security consciousness, such as financial institutions, will be keenly interested. We’re honored to earn FIPS certification because it underscores that the Colubris Networks Wi-Fi products have been built from the ground up to deliver the industry’s highest levels of security.”
Colubris Networks offers a range of intelligent Wi-Fi access points and controllers – including the CN1050-FIPS and CN1054-FIPS – that enable organizations to quickly and cost-effectively deploy and manage secure 802.11-based WLAN networks. With a focus on security, the CN1050-FIPS intelligent access device integrates a firewall, router, VPN server and wireless access point into a single, cost-effective device that is ideal for adding a WLAN to an existing corporate network. Designed for distributed offices, the CN1054-FIPS incorporates a firewall, router, VPN server and wireless access point along with a four port 10/100 base-T switch, enabling companies to extend VPN and security policies to WLANs in remote offices.
Using state-of-the-art technology, the Colubris Networks’ multi-tiered security approach incorporates an integrated VPN server and client, RADIUS AAA support and token-based authentication with ESSID suppression for the highest levels of security. No other WLAN access points on the market deliver this level of security fully to the network edge, while integrating seamlessly with existing network architectures and equipment. The company also offers a range of access equipment for public WLANs that provide seamless integration into large carrier and wireless ISP infrastructures.
For more information about the CN1050-FIPS or CN1054-FIPS, contact Colubris Networks at (781) 684-0001 or email info@colubris.com.
About Colubris Networks
Colubris Networks is a global leader in providing highly secure, manageable and cost-effective Wireless LAN solutions for enterprise networks and carrier deployments. Its award-winning Wi-Fi certified product family of purpose-built enterprise and public access offerings seamlessly integrates into existing customer networks, providing maximum cost-effectiveness and management simplicity. Colubris Networks embeds strong tools such as Virtual Private Networking, enhanced security and firewall technologies into its open, industry-standard solutions. Colubris Networks’ products are deployed by more than 400 organizations worldwide, including Telecom Italia, NTT-ME, McGill University, Bangkok International Airport, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, and three of the world’s largest hotel chains. The company’s strategic business and technology partners include ADC, Alcatel, Juniper Networks, RSA Security, Funk Software, Micromuse, and a worldwide network of value-added-resellers and systems integrators. For more information visit the company Web site at www.colubris.com or contact us at info@colubris.com.
