Latest version of the industry's leading hardware appliance for tape encryption first to support new Serial Attached SCSI interface to enhance security for backup tape infrastructure

Stoneham, MA and Cambridge UK - 3 November 2009: Thales, leader in information systems and communications security, announces Thales CryptoStor Tape 3.0, the latest version of the company's leading appliance for tape backup encryption and key management. CryptoStor Tape 3.0 is the industry's first appliance-based solution to support the new Serial Attached SCSI interface (SAS) as it replaces SCSI as the preferred method for direct-attached storage. Thales CryptoStor Tape supports all three leading storage interfaces, including SAS, SCSI and Fibre Channel for protecting data. In addition, Thales CryptoStor Tape provides automated key management to keep stored data secure and accessible over the course of its lifetime.

High profile data breaches and regulatory requirements have propelled tape drive and storage encryption to the top of the enterprise IT priority list. CryptoStor Tape 3.0 protects sensitive information stored on back-up tapes, ensuring data privacy in the event the back-up tapes are stolen or misplaced.

"In today's increasingly litigious world of business, Butler Group recognises that the need to protect business-sensitive data to legally enforceable standards is paramount. Safeguarding brand and business reputation is also particularly significant, especially when you take into account the damning nature of recent data loss headlines," says Andy Kellett, Senior Analyst at Ovum Butler Group. "The addition of SAS support for Thales CryptoStor Tape is important to protecting more enterprise data. CryptoStor Tape plays an important role in enabling the public and private sector to fulfil legal and regulatory compliance requirements."

CryptoStor Tape 3.0 enables enterprises to secure data on tapes a critical element to prevent data breaches and meet regulatory compliance. A widely deployed appliance-based encryption product that supports the latest data back-up systems, CryptoStor Tape 3.0 delivers the technology and cost benefits of SAS. As a hardened appliance, CryptoStor Tape 3.0 automates all tape encryption and key management functions to secure data and keep it safe and easily accessible.

"As the storage market is transitioning to the SAS interface standard, more and more businesses are looking for reliable and trusted encryption and key management systems," said Franck Greverie, Vice President, Managing Director for the information systems security activities of Thales. "CryptoStor Tape 3.0 with support for SAS will provide our customers with a solution that is cost-effective, easy to deploy and helps safeguard stored data against potential risks."