Next Generation Encryption Technology Supported in Sun Java System Web Server,
Vastly Improving Performance of Secure Online Transactions
SAN JOSE, Calif., RSA Conference, Booth 515, Feb. 14
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) today
announced that the Sun Java(TM) System Web Server 7.0, a key component of the
Sun Java(TM) Enterprise System, will support Elliptic Curve Cryptography
(ECC). ECC is a next generation security technology selected by the National
Security Agency to protect classified U. S. Government information. Its
inclusion in the Java System Web Server dramatically reduces the time it takes
to complete secure online transactions, improving both performance and
scalability. Additionally, ECC encryption increases the security of the Java
System Web Server by enabling secure transactions with ECC enabled devices.
Today's announcement also signals Sun's commitment to offer ECC technology
across a broad spectrum of its product portfolio.
The exponential growth of online transactions has masked a serious
technical challenge: how to ensure strong security for the new generation of
lightweight devices -- cell phones, PDAs, wireless sensors, appliances. The
devices keep getting smaller but security requirements keep growing, taxing
the constrained resources of the new wave of net-connected devices. ECC uses
shorter keys to provide the same level of security as traditional
alternatives. Shorter keys translate into better resource efficiency, longer
battery life and faster computations.
"For our customers, ECC means efficient security," said David Bryant,
senior director of marketing, Application Platform Products, Sun Microsystems.
"You no longer have to choose between performance and security. Now you can
expand the security features of your network based services without worrying
about excluding whole classes of devices from participation. And you can scale
up to accommodate enormous volumes of secure transactions on demand."
Online service providers can now offer their customers data security by
extending encryption to transactions that had been conducted in the clear due
to performance issues with low powered hardware. Today, for example, most
handheld portable devices lack the computing power to effectively use RSA-
based encryption/decryption, forcing service providers to transfer sensitive
data in using cryptographically weak key sizes entirely unencrypted.
Sun has played a major role in developing ECC and promoting its wide-
spread industry adoption -- through both standards work and technology
contributions. Sun employees co-authored the IETF specification describing the
use of ECC within Secure Socket Layer and Transport Layer Security (SSL/TLS),
the Internet's dominant security protocols. Researchers at Sun Labs developed
ECC-based security architectures for various platforms (ranging from coin-
sized, battery-powered, wireless sensors to high-performance Web servers) and
contributed ECC code to the two most popular open-source cryptographic
libraries -- OpenSSL and Network Security Services (NSS). These contributions
add ECC capabilities to a broad range of open-source products including the
Apache web server and the Mozilla/Firefox browsers.
Also today at the RSA 2006 Conference, Sun announced the Sun Crypto
Accelerator 6000 (SCA6000), an ECC enabled board, designed to increase
reliability, optimize performance and handle simultaneous transactions for
secure online networks.
Sun Java System Web Server 7.0 is expected to be released in the summer
2006 time frame. And as part of the Java Enterprise System, strengthens Sun's
position in providing customers with a single and complete platform that
includes the operating system, infrastructure software, system management and
developer tools all within the Solaris(TM) Enterprise System, which is
available at no cost for unlimited use to developers and users.
For more information, on the NSA's endorsement of ECC is available at
http://www.nsa.gov/ia/industry/crypto_suite_b.cfm
About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
A singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer"(TM) -- guides Sun in
the development of technologies that power the world's most important markets.
Sun's philosophy of sharing innovation and building communities is at the
forefront of the next wave of computing: the Participation Age. Sun can be
found in more than 100 countries and on the Web at http://sun.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Kate Wesson
Bite Communications for Sun
415-365-0458
kate.wesson@bitepr.com
Contact: allpress@sun.com
(650) 786-7737
SOURCE Sun Microsystems, Inc.
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Related links:
http://sun.com
CONTACT:
Kate Wesson of Bite Communications,
+1-415-365-0458 or kate.wesson@bitepr.com, for Sun;
allpress@sun.com; or +1-650-786-7737
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