- Supports U.S. Federal HSPD-12 Standard; Department of Defense Begins to
Deploy -
SOMERSET, N.J., Aug. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Raritan today announced the
general availability of the first smart card reader solution for a KVM
switch. The new Paragon(R) II KVM Smart Card Reader solution is ideal for
government, financial and other organizations that want an additional layer
of security provided by smart card user authentication technology for
accessing IT resources.
A number of customers -- including U.S. federal government agencies --
have been instrumental in helping to define the requirements of the Raritan
solution. As a result, the new solution works with widely deployed smart
cards, including special government smart cards, called Common Access Cards
(CACs) -- a key factor in complying with U.S. Homeland Security
Presidential Directive (HSPD-12). HSPD-12 mandates the implementation of a
common identification standard for federal employees and contractors to
gain access to federally controlled facilities and information technology
resources.
Raritan's solution integrates an SCM Microsystems smart card reader
into a newly enhanced user station -- a major component of Raritan's
Paragon II KVM 4.3 system. The Paragon II KVM switch -- which is used
extensively by virtually all public and private sectors to simplify data
center management -- provides anytime, non-blocked access to data center
servers and other IT equipment from the user station. The new built-in card
reader helps enhance an organization's security approach, increase staff
productivity, and reduce administrative costs.
For additional security measures, Raritan's all-in-one solution does
not store or cache card data, requires re-authentication when changing
targets, and allows access of servers by only one user at a time.
Paragon Smart Card Reader in the U.S. Department of Defense
According to Colin Philben, Information Technology Manager in the
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs)/Tricare
Management Activity/E-Commerce Group, Raritan's Paragon Smart Card Reader
solution will help his organization meet U.S. Homeland Security HSPD-12
requirements for accessing government data centers.
Mr. Philben is responsible for implementing the Public Key
Infrastructure (PKI) within his organization's network by 2008, as required
by the Department of Defense (DoD). "We discovered quickly that this was no
small task," said Mr. Philben. "We needed to quickly find a solution to
efficiently adhere to the DoD's PKI requirements when accessing servers via
KVM. Our search was futile, we feared that we would be forced to install
Common Access Card (CAC) readers on every server, or worse abandon any sort
of KVM and have to rely on the infamous crash cart."
Already using Raritan's Paragon II KVM switches to manage his data
centers, Mr. Philben contacted Raritan about adding the needed
functionality to the Paragon II platform. Raritan understood the issue and
answered with the new Enhanced User Station. In order to comply with the
DoD's stringent security requirements, Raritan consulted with Defense
Information Systems Assurance (DISA) to ensure that all the requirements of
the Security Technical Implementation Guidelines were met.
"The development of this product will allow the United States Federal
Government to more effectively comply with PKI at the server level," said
Mr. Philben. "By leveraging our existing Paragon II architecture, a
substantial cost savings to the government will be generated as existing
systems are upgraded to comply with the PKI requirement. Total cost of
ownership savings will be reflected in the support and administrative cost
associated with implementing and maintaining the PKI infrastructure on all
Federal networks. With this product we are mitigating substantial risks to
the Federal Government."
About the Paragon II Smart Card Reader Solution
Raritan partnered with SCM Microsystems Inc., a leader in the smart
card industry, to develop the Paragon II security solution. SCM card
readers are on the United States GSA schedule.
The Paragon II Smart Card Reader solution provides all the features and
capabilities of the original Paragon II Enhanced User Station -- including
the highest video screen resolutions (
http://www.raritan.com/_downloads/TollyTS20616xRaritanParagon05Oct06.pdf )
over the greatest distance. In addition to the new user station, Raritan
has developed a new USB Computer Interface Module (CIM) for use
specifically with the new security solution. The new user station and CIM
work with existing Paragon II KVM switches with a simple software update.
For more information or to arrange a demonstration, please visit
http://www.Raritan.com/Cat5-KVM (
http://www.raritan.com/cat5-kvm/?afftid=4476 ).
About Raritan (Raritan.com)
Raritan, based in Somerset, N.J., is a leading provider of management
solutions that simplify IT operations. Based on KVM (Keyboard, Video,
Mouse) switches, serial console servers, management software, power
management and remote connectivity, our secure solutions drive data center
and branch office efficiency and productivity in more than 50,000 locations
around the world. Raritan also serves the OEM market by developing
advanced, hardware-based, remote-management components based on KVM-over-IP
and IPMI technologies. Founded in 1985, Raritan today has 38 offices
worldwide, and its products are distributed in 76 countries. For more
information, please visit Raritan.com ( http://www.raritan.com/ ).
All marks are the property of their respective owners.
Editors: Product photos available at
http://www.raritan.com/_images/PII-CAC-stack.jpg
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