Applied Communication Sciences Launches Advanced Security Solutions for Smart Devices

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Oct. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Applied Communication Sciences (ACS) today unveiled two new solutions to address increasing demands for secure storage of sensitive data in smart devices and secure, seamless data session connectivity in mobile networks.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130515/PH14041LOGO)

The first of these solutions, ACS Mobile Data Storage (AMDS), delivers an unprecedented level of security in protecting sensitive information in smart devices. 

"The number of smart device applications using highly sensitive data is exploding," notes Petros Mouchtaris, COO and Head of Applied Research at ACS.  "This is making smart devices the new focal point for sophisticated cyber attacks.  AMDS directly addresses this new level of threat." 

The AMDS capability harnesses a patent pending ACS policy-based technique which encrypts and securely stores data in smart devices on a per application basis.  The per application approach is more granular and flexible than traditional disk encryption which allows only for single access control to the entire data storage content.  In addition, by not storing encryption keys on the mobile device itself AMDS appreciably reduces the exposure to cyber attacks. 

AMDS is ideal for mobile applications such as banking, healthcare, military and emergency services (including crisis management) that require highly sensitive data to be encrypted and securely stored in smart devices while accessible only to authorized users.   The solution also supports NSA (National Security Agency) Suite B compliant encryption algorithms and can be seamlessly integrated with existing user applications without modifying any application code base. 

The second new offering is ACS Mobile VPN Suite (AMVS), which enables smart devices to be continually connected to the user's network of choice, irrespective of the user's location, without losing IP session continuity and the same level of security with the associated Virtual Private Network (VPN) gateway.

For example, a smart device user could transit from an enterprise network, into a vehicle and onto a highway, and then into her home or hotel hotspot, without interruption of her application sessions while maintaining the same multi-layer secure VPN connection to the enterprise gateway.

AMVS also fills infrastructure network coverage holes, such as in disaster scenarios, by automatically forming ad hoc Wi-Fi networks between smart devices and allowing connectivity to the Internet through designating selected smart devices as bridge nodes.

"With AMVS we are delivering a truly advanced combination of seamless session connectivity and multi-level security of in-transit data, while also overcoming gaps in network infrastructure coverage," notes Mouchtaris. "AMVS is particularly attractive for enterprise; public safety, such as disaster response; and tactical military applications that require premium levels of connectivity and over-the-air multi-layer encryptions."

The AMVS solution supports NSA (National Security Agency) Suite B compliant encryption algorithms using two separate cryptographic providers and satisfies the NSA Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) requirements.

Together, AMDS and AMVS provide a much needed boost to commercial smart device data security along with a secure and seamless user experience with network connectivity anywhere and anytime.

Both AMVS and AMDS will be available in December for Android-based smart devices.  Support for Apple's IoS is targeted for first half 2014.  ACS currently is in discussions with systems integrators and OEMS to introduce these products in federal defense and public safety sectors.  Early versions of these products will be demonstrated in the ACS exhibition booth at the IEEE MILCOM conference being held this November 18-20 in San Diego.

About Applied Communication Sciences (ACS)
Drawing on its Bell Labs heritage, Applied Communication Sciences delivers advanced research, consulting and engineering to enable government agencies, telecom carriers and commercial enterprises to fully exploit the future of communications and information technologies. The company is headquartered in Basking Ridge, NJ, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The SI Organization, Inc.  For more information about Applied Communication Sciences, visit www.appcomsci.com.

SOURCE Applied Communication Sciences