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Atempo Advances Encryption

With a Security and Compliance Manager (SCM) module for its Time Navigator backup package, Atempo is trying to convince users that software applications can give hardware appliances a run for their money when it comes to security.

Up to now, Time Navigator was among the software applications whose encryption and security capabilities didnt measure up to appliances from the likes of Decru, NeoScale, Kasten Chase, and Vormetric.

The reason? Time Navigator had lightweight encryption based on an industry-standard Blowfish algorithm. Now in SCM, it's beefing that up with industrial-strength AES 256 and Triple DES encryption. SCM also includes hash algorithms, digital signatures, key management, and compliance policy enforcement.

One analyst says the package goes beyond what other backup software vendors offer, but probably won't stay unique for long. “A lot of people say, ‘I have encryption,’ but security is a heck of a lot more than encryption,” says Arun Taneja of Taneja Group. “It also has to do with authentication and preventing tampering. I don’t think it’s going to be unique for any extended period of time, though. All backup vendors are looking at doing those things.”

Still, encryption is a work in progress for even the largest backup software vendors. (See Backup Encryption Mulled.) Symantec offers encryption in its enterprise Net Backup product, for instance, but not in its Windows-based Backup Exec. EMC offers encryption for its SMB Dantz Retrospect, but not yet in its enterprise Legato Networker application.

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