EADS TELECOM teams up with Safelayer in network security business
Paris, 29 October 2002
EADS TELECOM, provider of turnkey telecommunications networks based on civil technology for the Defence, Public Safety and Civil markets, has signed a partnership agreement with Safelayer, the Spanish PKI solutions specialist. The agreement will enable EADS TELECOM to integrate Safelayer’s KeyOne® product range into its Connexity solutions.
Asymmetric (public key / private key) encryption provides the most secure means of identifying users, managing their rights and using digital signature technology in communications networks. While this form of encryption is easy to use for the exchange of data between individuals, its use by large organisations is more complex. Public-key infrastructures (PKIs) are designed as a response to issues related to key certification, distribution and use, and to user authentication. Safelayer provides recognised PKI-based security certification and digital signature products.
A strategic partnership for EADS TELECOM and Safelayer
This agreement with Safelayer provides EADS TELECOM with a strategic technology which touches network security, its core business. EADS TELECOM now has access to the core technology of Safelayer’s KeyOne® products, and agreed on preferential partner status for the Defence and Public Safety markets in France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and the United States. In order to implement the agreement and ensure joint management of product evolutions, EADS TELECOM has set up a steering committee and a technical committee. The agreement also guarantees EADS TELECOM priority access to Safelayer consultancy, support et development resources.
In order to provide its customers with an assurance as to the quality of its products, EADS TELECOM is currently in the process of having this technology certified by the DCSSI (Direction Centrale de la Sécurité des Systèmes d’Information – French IT systems security authority).
Safelayer’s expertise complements that of EADS TELECOM
Safelayer’s technology was chosen for its integration capacity, its powerful software and the company’s proven expertise as illustrated by the provision of PKI solutions and digital certificates for the Spanish public and private sectors. Safelayer has distinguished itself by its active participation in major undertakings such as the installation of a pilot project for digital identity cards currently being developed by the Spanish Ministry of Interior, and by its realisation of other projects for customers including Banesto (Spanish bank), the Spanish Ministry of Defence, the Portuguese Agriculture Ministry, Spanish State Councils, the President’s Office and the Auna Group (Spanish operator of telecoms). As Víctor Canivell, CEO of Safelayer Secure Communications, puts it: "For Safelayer and for the Spanish high-tech sector as a whole, it is a source of great satisfaction that a leading world Defence and Security sector player such as EADS TELECOM should choose our technology to represent it insome of the most demanding markets worldwide. This is a major step forward that proves the effectiveness of our commercial strategy; I believe that, as well as developing a unique technology, Safelayer has also adopted a highly innovative strategic commercial approach. The partnership with EADS TELECOM proves it".
Technology integrated into EADS TELECOM’s Connexity range
The KeyOne® product range provides a comprehensive certification system based on certification authorities, authentication and on the technology required for PKI development and service offer. Safelayer’s KeyOne® solutions comprise three product families: server components, client modules and development tools. KeyOne® is a certification system designed to operate with a fully distributed architecture, while authorising the development of all trust certification models, be they hierarchical or direct with cross-certification. This solution, which is independent of database LDAP (directory) and DBMS (information storage) editor, is based on market standards, and allows integration into existing systems as well as rapid customisation.
"Thanks to this agreement, EADS TELECOM has strengthened its position as European leader in the area of secure telecommunications networks. By joining forces with other security players – and notably with Safelayer – EADS TELECOM strengthens its strategy and helps shape the future of the market", concludes Jean-Pierre Quémard, Chief Security Officer / Integrated Systems Marketing Director EADS TELECOM.
About EADS TELECOM
EADS TELECOM is the global Centre of Excellence for telecommunications of the EADS Group, the leading Aeronautics, Space and Defence Company in Europe and second world-wide.
EADS TELECOM is a supplier of turnkey telecommunications networks based on civil technologies for the Defence, Public Safety and civil markets, with a complete range of solutions – Connexity – whose common denominator is security.
EADS TELECOM has expertise in the fixed and wireless digital telecommunication fields in IP environments, using proven, operational civil technologies, as well as in information system security. Thanks to the TETRAPOL technology, EADS TELECOM is the world leader in the field of secure digital radio networks, with 64 networks in 30 countries, including 15 networks with national coverage. With its Succession/6500 solutions, EADS TELECOM is European leader in IP Telephony.
With a local presence in 13 countries, EADS TELECOM has 3,500 employees in Europe, the United States and Mexico, with pro forma revenues of around €860m world-wide in 2001.
About Safelayer
Safelayer Secure Communications is a Spanish organisation founded in May of 1999 and dedicated to the information security sector. Safelayer leads the Spanish market on the provisioning of security solutions based on PKI technology and has developed its technology fully in house. Safelayer offers the product family "KeyOne" for Certification, Digital Signature and PKI encipherment.
To summarise, digital signatures safeguard the authentication of the sender in all communications made over networks for conducting commercial transactions or exchange of information as well as the confidentiality and the integrity of the operation. Safelayer´s technology is able to detect any sabotage actions or vulnerabilities during these processes.
Press contacts
EADS TELECOM
Brigitte Faure
Sandrine Quinton
Tel.: +33 1 34 60 71 70 / 79 01
brigitte.faure@eads-telecom.comsandrine.quinton@eads-telecom.com
Safelayer
bdi Comunicación
Eugenio Sanz
Susana García
Tel : + 34 91 510 30 87
eugenio@bdicomunicacion.comsusana@bdicomunicacion.com
