Global solution for setting up Virtual Private Networks using the Internet - without compromising security

Data Fellows, a leader in computer security, announced today at CeBIT ’97 F-Secure VPN, a 128 bit encrypting router that lets companies secure all traffic between their Local Area Networks and set up Virtual Private Networks using the Internet or other untrusted networks.

F­Secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a flexible and cost-effective solution to gain the benefits of the Internet without compromising security. It provides the network manager with secure tunnels between corporate sites while still enabling access to external sites if wanted. It is at its best when combined with a firewall, giving total control over all corporate data traffic.

F­Secure VPN is an encrypting router that enables you to build VPNs over the net with strong cryptographic security. If you're a corporate network manager, it helps you cut your line costs without compromising security. If you're a Service Provider it gives you the opportunity to beat your competition with new services by using bullet-proof security features. F-Secure VPN is available globally with long keys and top security.

F-Secure VPN architecture

F-Secure encrypts TCP/IP packets on the fly for transport over the Internet or an intranet. It works with any installed base of routers and firewalls. It also provides the most powerful encryption available, including RSA, triple DES (Data Encryption Standard) and Blowfish. Further, F-Secure compresses data, authenticates other encryption servers, and performs distributed key management.

F-Secure VPN uses a protocol called SSH that has emerged as a de facto standard for secure Internet communications. The protocol has been used, tested and proved reliable by such security-conscious organizations as NASA (Washington, D.C.), as well as several U.S. banks and telecommunication companies. The standards being developed by the IP Security Group (IPSec) of the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) will also be implemented as they become approved later this year.

F-Secure benefits vs. traditional encryption mechanisms

F-Secure VPN is a unique solution compared with the main alternative, stand-alone hardware encryptors. F-Secure VPNs are extremely easy to set up, configure and maintain. This leads to cost efficiency with no compromise in security. Some firewalls also provide encryption tunnels but these solutions are proprietary (tying the user to a certain firewall) and often quite complicated to configure and update.