Trusted Computer Solutions Pushes Trust to the Edge with NetTop(R)2 - Thin Client

HERNDON, Va., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Trusted Computer Solutions, Inc. (TCS), a leading supplier of secure information sharing products to the Department of Defense, the intelligence community and commercial industry, today announced the addition of SecureOffice(R) NetTop(R)2 - Thin Client to its SecureOffice family of software products. Based on the only Linux operating system in the world with a Common Criteria EAL4 Labeled Security Protection Profile (LSPP), NetTop2 - Thin Client will enable users to access multiple security levels on a single computer, simultaneously, affordably and with low infrastructure complexity.

Under a Patent License Agreement with the National Security Agency (NSA), TCS now offers a "thin client" version of the NSA-patented NetTop technology. Working with NSA Researchers under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), TCS developers have created a new standard for performance, cost effectiveness and security.

NetTop2 - Thin Client puts trusted Linux technology on the desktop, enabling users to access multiple independent networks, and by extension, multiple Microsoft(R) Windows and Unix(R) sessions at differing sensitivity levels or domains using a single thin client appliance. By pushing the trust out to the edge of the solution, NetTop2 allows a much lower cost and less complex back-end infrastructure than other thin client approaches. In addition, NetTop2 takes the proprietary aspects out of the operating system and hardware layers. Unlike other solutions, NetTop2 does not require proprietary hardware, or a single vendor, proprietary operating system.

"For years our customers have been clamoring for the look, feel, flexibility, and functionality of today's commercial software," said Susan Alexander, chief of information assurance research at the NSA. "With NetTop they can get just such an environment...without compromising on security."

"NetTop2 follows our strategy to design functional, affordable software that will help protect our nation's most valuable information assets," said Edward Hammersla, chief operating officer at TCS. "NetTop2 is the only multilevel application solution that does not require proprietary hardware or a proprietary operating system. NetTop2 can protect the most sensitive classified information at the operating system level and will replace multiple physical machines with a single thin client appliance - enabling users to rapidly and more effectively communicate and share information affecting our national security."

NetTop2 - Thin Client is a software product that can run on all industry standard hardware platforms. The current versions are being deployed on the powerful IBM xSeries servers with Wyse Technology V50(TM) thin clients as appliances. IBM Platforms are the official Target Operating Environment (TOE) for the Common Criteria Evaluation of the trusted Linux that underlies NetTop2 - Thin Client. Wyse thin clients are the industry and market share leader in the thin client appliance market. "We are pleased to be working with TCS and to have NetTop2 - Thin Client running on our industry leading Wyse thin client technology," said Ali Fenn, vice president, business development and alliances at Wyse Technology. "Wyse is committed to delivering optimal thin computing solutions, through a combination of hardware, software and services, and our participation with TCS and NSA's NetTop2 - Thin Client is a great example of this. The inherent security associated with thin client devices, combined with the NetTop2 software solution, is an extremely powerful solution to meet the increasing security demands on IT."

SecureOffice NetTop2 - Thin Client is available immediately for pilot testing, and includes the full security functionality of a trusted Linux operating system that is today under Common Criteria evaluation on a wide range of IBM eServer Platforms including xSeries, pSeries, and ZSeries. General availability for NetTop2 - Thin Client is expected at the end of this year. About the Trusted Linux Operating System

The trusted Linux that underlies NetTop2 is based on the National Security Agency's SELinux and incorporates the security functionality defined in three protection profiles recognized by Common Criteria: Labeled Security Protection Profile (LSPP), Controlled Access Protection Profile (CAPP) and Role-Based Access Control Protection Profile (RBAC). These three protection profiles specify security functionality and assurance that is required to conform to the technical requirements of Director of Central Intelligence Directive 6/3 (DCID 6/3), which specifies measures used to secure intelligence-related information and systems, including those necessary for Top Secret and Below Interoperability (TSABI).

Through a joint effort with IBM and Red Hat, the functionality of this trusted Linux is being up-streamed and bundled into Red Hat Enterprise Linux v.5, which officially entered the Common Criteria evaluation process in September 2005. Although not available from Red Hat until late 2006 as part of Red Hat's normal product update and release cycle, the software is available now as a component of many TCS commercial products such as NetTop2. This availability and the Government's ability to procure is in full compliance with NSTISSP No. 11 National Policy. About Trusted Computer Solutions, Inc.

Founded in 1994, Trusted Computer Solutions (TCS) is an industry leader in cyber security and information sharing software products. TCS products and services offer a simple solution that enables government and commercial organizations to securely share information while protecting vital information assets. TCS products strike the right balance between Information Protection and Information Sharing, something vital in today's environment. TCS Products adhere to the most stringent security standards set by U. S. Government Agencies such as the Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency. The company's SecureOffice(R) products, which run on Sun Trusted Solaris and Red Hat Linux are installed and accredited in operational systems around the world today protecting our nation's most sensitive digital information. TCS is headquartered in Herndon, Va., with offices in Urbana, Ill. and San Antonio, Tx. For more information, visit http://www.TrustedCS.com. SecureOffice is a registered trademark of Trusted Computer Solutions, Inc. and NetTop is a registered trademark of the National Security Agency. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the respective of their respective owners.