Forwarded From: <anon> http://www.nytimes.com/techweb/TW_Encryption_Software_Protects_PalmPilots.html February 2, 1999 Encryption Software Protects PalmPilots Filed at 7:48 p.m. EST By John Gartner for TechWeb, CMPnet Jaws Technologies, based in Calgary, Canada, released a software utility this week that protects PalmPilot III data using encryption far surpassing U.S. restrictions. Jaws L5 Data Encryption -- PDA Edition can be used to encrypt sensitive data such as passwords, credit cards, or personal finance information stored on the popular PalmPilot III personal digital assistants. Once data is encrypted and secured by a password, it cannot be transmitted to other PalmPilots. The software requires only 35 kilobytes of memory on PalmPilots and can be used in conjunction with desktop versions of Jaws' encryption software. Once the software is installed, data is automatically encrypted and decrypted at a rate of 1 megabyte per second when the system is powered on or off. The theft of corporate portable-computing devices is becoming an increasing risk factor, according to analysts. "Whether a user is accessing data on workstation or coordinating files with a PDA, or hand-held computer, the importance of secure data spans across many corporate functions and levels," said Greg Naderi, IT market analyst at Frost & Sullivan. The number of PDAs grew by 177 percent 1998 to $531.3 million, according to Frost & Sullivan. "With growth patterns such as this, data encryption is certain to become more vital to the corporate infrastructure," Naderi added. Designing a small-footprint encryption system with acceptable performance has been a challenge for encryption vendors, Naderi said. Jaws Technologies has applied for patents for their technology, which requires more permutations to crack than the scientific community currently has a number for, said Robert Kubbernus, CEO of Jaws. Kubbernus said he saw an opportunity when he realized the risk he took when saving data on his own PDA. "We pulled the PalmPilot apart and realized that it was very insecure," he said. The U.S. government restricts software for export to 56-bit encryption in most uses, and 128-bit for specific circumstances, but does not prohibit important software using higher encryption. The 'L5' in the product name refers to level 5, or the U.S. government's highest rating for security, said Kubbernus. Jaws L5 Data Encryption -- PDA Edition will be available for download for $19.95 and is being sold for $1 for the first two weeks of February from sites such as Beyond.com and BuyDirect.com. The Professional Edition for Windows shipped in July of 1998 and can be used to share data between desktops, laptops, and the PalmPilot. -o- Subscribe: mail majordomoat_private with "subscribe isn". Today's ISN Sponsor: Internet Security Institute [www.isi-sec.com]
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