Joint Solution Integrates NeoScale CryptoStor KeyVault and Optica Eclipz ESCON Tape Encryptor; Extends Interoperability Through Secure and Automated Key Sharing

NeoScale Systems, the trusted leader in enterprise storage security solutions, today announced the integration of NeoScale KeyVault key management with Optica's Eclipz Tape Encryptor. Together the combined solution, along with NeoScale's CryptoStor Tape appliance, delivers the industry's only consistent encryption methodology, security and automation across open systems and mainframe tape environments. The new solution securely manages and shares encryption keys automatically across multiple authorized locations and throughout their lifecycle.

With the addition of the combined key management and mainframe tape encryption appliance, customers worldwide are now able to extend their investment while securing backup tapes in both their mainframe and open system environments. Due to expensive hardware and required tape media upgrades previous device-based encryption solutions have been unattractive. The combined NeoScale and Optica appliance-based solutions require no upgrade while protecting a customer's investment in tape hardware and media in addition to providing management of encryption keys using a secure, open, automated key management platform.

"Our partnership with NeoScale helps us to help our customers exceed their objectives while reducing their risk and addressing statutory and regulatory requirements," said Dave de la Plante, vice president of Security Solutions, Optica. "Enterprises and small/mid-tier clients can now turn to Optica to preserve their existing mainframe tape systems. Our NeoScale partnership enables us to offer our customers a highly secure, automated key management system to manage encryption keys across multiple data centers without requiring expensive mainframe or tape system upgrades."

By deploying the NeoScale and Optica tape appliances customers experience minimal operational impact while benefiting from maximum security and transparent deployment. Because a "forklift" upgrade is not required customers can easily secure information stored on existing tape drives. Through the automation, creation and management of encryption keys, customers can be assured local availability of keys within the data center. Outside the data center, customers can deploy NeoScale CryptoStor KeyVault, a key management appliance, to archive keys from all tape appliances. Keys can then be securely shared with disaster recovery and other offsite locations or partner locations that need access to select tapes. Through the use of a secure audit log a customer can utilize CryptoStor KeyVault to track the lifecycle of each key and satisfy audit and compliance requirements.

"The Optica partnership is the first of many storage security partnerships to deliver open, multi-vendor solutions for key management," said James Yu, vice president of Business Development, NeoScale. "Storage and security are becoming indivisible and this is the first of several strong announcements where NeoScale will be delivering integrated value to customers by offering secure, automated key management through partnerships so that customers can continue to maintain control over their storage environment while protecting the quality of vital data assets."