AEP Networks Offers Fastrack DNSSEC Program

SOMERSET, NJ--(Marketwire - April 13, 2009) - AEP Networks today announced the availability of an enterprise-class DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) Fastrack Program for federal agencies. Internet Systems Consortium (ISC) and AEP Networks have partnered to help federal agencies meet their DNSSEC mandate quickly and cost-effectively.

The U.S. government mandates that all federal agencies deploy DNSSEC so that it is operational on all applicable information systems by December 2009. By enabling the rapid and low-risk evaluation of ISC's BIND, the market leading DNS server, with AEP Keyper, the world's most trusted Hardware Security Module (HSM), agencies can comply with the recommendations in NIST Special Publication 800-81, "Secure Domain Name System (DNS) Deployment Guide," and address the particular requirements described in NIST Special Publication 800-53r1, "Recommended Security Controls for Federal Information Systems."

"The new urgency for the DNS Security Extensions initiative is due to recently discovered vulnerabilities in the global DNS system that make it possible for criminals to use the DNS to masquerade as trustworthy online entities like federal agencies," stated Pat Donnellan, CEO of AEP Networks. "While DNSSEC has become widely recognized as a way to provide additional security-in-depth for the Internet, it must be enabled and configured correctly, and all network infrastructure must be tested to verify that it supports DNSSEC. Through our joint Fastrack solution, federal agencies will have the opportunity to test and deploy an enterprise-class DNSSEC implementation using best-of-breed software and FIPS 140-2 Level 4 hardware to assure the security of agency private keys."

The three-month DNSSEC Fastrack program supports agencies that are migrating from older versions of BIND and from other DNS resolvers with hands-on guidance and support from world-class experts. The program offers assistance with systems and process review; DNSSEC planning; building DNSSEC test-beds and production systems; implementation; and post-implementation support and maintenance.

BIND provides a robust and stable platform on top of which organizations can build distributed computing systems with the knowledge that those systems are fully compliant with published DNS and DNSSEC standards. BIND is fully open source and runs on UNIX and Windows. AEP Keyper is the most secure HSM available, with a 10-year track record protecting military, government and high-value commercial networks. Keyper is a tamper reactive, Ethernet-connected HSM with no moving parts. Keyper is the only HSM appliance on the market accredited to FIPS 140-2 Level 4.

AEP Networks will exhibit its solutions in Booth #628 at the upcoming RSA Conference 2009 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco from April 20-23, and on Stand #R90 at Infosecurity Europe 2009 at Earls Court in London from April 28-30. More information about the Fastrack DNSSEC Evaluation Program can be accessed at: http://www.aepnetworks.com/products/downloads/ISC-AEP-Partnership-FINAL.pdf.

About AEP Networks

AEP Networks offers secure communications, networking and application access for government, enterprise and carriers. We work with systems integrators, managed service providers and the distribution channel to deliver integrated solutions incorporating our leading edge products:

--  Enhanced-grade secure voice and multi-service data platforms (based on
    the vadOS operating system) that support a wide range of communications
    protocols and network topologies
--  High assurance networking via IPSec-based VPN encryptors for site-to-
    site security and remote access
--  Hardware Security Modules (HSM) for cryptographic key management and
    storage
--  Secure remote access to networks and applications -- including virtual
    environments -- via application-layer security gateways and SSL VPNs.
    

Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, AEP Networks has key hub offices in the United Kingdom, Malaysia and Australia. For more information, visit www.aepnetworks.com.