Two Companies Set to Offer Key Recovery Services Using Technology from TIS

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01-28-97. Business Wire:

Two Companies Set to Offer Key Recovery Services Using Technology from TIS

Two firms have announced their intent to offer third-party key recovery services using the Key Recovery Center developed by Trusted Information Systems, Inc. in conjunction with its RecoverKey technology.

SourceKey and Data Securities International (DSI) have applied for approval to operate Key Recovery Centers to support exported encryption products. (U.S. Department of Commerce approval is required for export of any product employing strong encryption.)

Trusted Information Systems (TIS) also announced today that it is in negotiations with the National Computing Centre, Ltd. of the U.K. and Philips Crypto BV of the Netherlands to license the first non-U.S.-based Key Recovery Centers for third party use.

Key Recovery Centers -- whether privately operated by firms on behalf of their employees or operated by third parties -- are an important element in the user-controlled key recovery approach that TIS pioneered. Key Recovery Centers can, upon an authenticated request, unlock (decrypt) a "spare key" that is generated at the time a given message or file is encrypted. Only the Key Recovery Center is capable of performing this function -- and only if specifically requested, since it does not store or maintain users' keys or data. The "spare key" stays with the message or file until or unless needed.

"We welcome these new partners who are offering key recovery services," said Stephen T. Walker, President of TIS. "Having recovery centers in place, and in the hands of the private sector, represents a monumental step forward for global electronic commerce. The infrastructure is coming into being, and we couldn't be more delighted."

Tom Morehouse, President of SourceKey, commented on today's announcement. "We are the first company to be approved by the U.S. Government to be a Key Recovery Center for exported cryptographic products. As an operator of a TIS Key Recovery Center, we are currently the only trusted third party serving customers in this capacity. We look forward to offering key recovery services to more customers as TIS technology becomes an encryption standard."

Adele Revella, Senior Vice President of DSI, remarked "With fifteen years experience protecting source code assets, DSI understands that companies are concerned about trusting a third party with secret information. Yet our customers recognize that it is far safer to work with a trusted partner than to hope nothing goes wrong with their business arrangements. DSI is pleased that the TIS technology will permit us to focus our experience and reputation on supporting the worldwide expansion of strong cryptography."

Today TIS also announced availability of its new full-featured Key Recovery Center product that provides user registration and encryption key recovery services. The Key Recovery Center is designed to work with any encryption product incorporating TIS' patented RecoverKey technology. Available now for select customers, the product will be generally available by the end of the first quarter, 1997.

About Trusted Information Systems, Inc.

Trusted Information Systems, Inc., is a leading provider of comprehensive security solutions for protection of computer networks, including global Internet-based systems, internal networks, and individual workstations and laptops. The Company develops, markets, licenses, and supports the Gauntlet family of firewall products and other network security products as well as TIS' patented RecoverKey technology, which is the first and only key recovery system to meet US government requirements for export. In addition to providing leading edge information security products, TIS performs an array of services in the areas of cryptography, security consulting, training, and advanced research and engineering for commercial and government customers. The TIS homepage on the World Wide Web is www.tis.com. For more information, contact Bill Thompson, VP Business Development, 512/263-5936, thompson@tis.com

About SourceKey

SourceKey, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FileSafe Corporation, is headquartered in Oakland, CA and has offices in Atlanta, GA and McLean, VA. FileSafe was the first organization approved as a Key Recovery Agent to facilitate export of strong encryption products. FileSafe is a world leader in the storage and security of sensitive information for businesses, health care institutions, and governmental agencies, and its SourceFile subsidiary provides software escrow services to the information technology community. For more information, contact Tom Morehouse, President, 510/832-4300, X127, tommore@ix.netcom.com

About Data Securities International, Inc.

Data Securities International, Inc. (DSI), headquartered in San Francisco, CA, is the leading provider of software escrow services in the world, protecting nearly 10,000 licenses in thirty countries. DSI customers include more than 50% of US Fortune 500 companies, and 2,000 of the largest technology companies worldwide. For more information, contact Adele Revella, Senior Vice President, 602-596-2481 arevella@dsiescrow.com

CONTACT: Trusted Information Systems, Inc. | Alla Ziselson, 202/452-9467 | alla_ziselson@oar-wash.com