F5 Networks is enhancing the performance and security around SSL-encrypted data to meet the FIPS specifications. The move means that the F5 product is certified for use by government agencies. The FIPS spec also is being embraced by other industries known for encrypting sensitive data, such as health care and financial services, both of which are seeing growing levels of government regulation.F5 Networks is making its application delivery system ready for government
agencies and other institutions with highly sensitive data.
F5 announced June 15 that its Big-IP 6900 Application Delivery Controller
now comes in an edition that supports the FIPS (Federal Information Processing
Standard), which provides high performance and greater security around SSL-encrypted
application traffic.
The FIPS support means that F5s Big-IP system manages FIPS security, rather
than having each individual server do the job. By consolidating that task onto
F5s application delivery system, organizations can save as much as 25 percent
on compliance costs, according to F5 officials.
The move addresses concerns not only from the federal government, but also
other industries, including health care and financial services, that have high
levels of sensitive data that needs encryption. Those concerns are only growing
as more government regulationsalong the lines of HIPAA (Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act) and the Sarbanes-Oxley Actare instituted.
FIPS specs, which were established by the National Institute of Standards
and Technology, outline how businesses and government agencies much secure and
encrypt critical information. Federal agencies are required to use
FIPS-certified productssuch as F5s application delivery systemand the
standard also is being adopted by businesses outside of the government.
F5 officials say their FIPS edition of the Big-IP 6900 offers enhanced SSL
security through the ability to store, process and encrypt not only the data
but also the keys in a hardware-secured module. IT also offers speeds of up to
20,000 transactions per second and 3.6G bps of bulk encryption, officials said.