8 August 2003 Brighton, UK--Microexpert Ltd has launched its Remote Network Access System designed to help companies extend their corporate network remotely and securely world-wide with a combination of Virtual Private Network and secure USB authentication token cryptography.
"The need to exchange business-critical information securely with remote locations is becoming a crucial success factor in business. This need establishes the case for installing a VPN gateway into the corporate network," says Jason Smith, Marketing Manager at Microexpert.
"The growth of internet access conduits is another element making the VPN a hot new piece of technology in the wireless revolution. With broadband becoming cheaper and more attainable and WiFi technology on the increase, there is a broader range of internet access points - even including Brighton Beach".
VPN benefits from these developments because it employs the internet as an inexpensive bridge to connect remote users to their corporate network allowing them full rights and privileges as if their computer was connected to the corporate LAN.
Once connected remote users have access to all shared software, files, documents, databases and the company's network server. They can receive and transfer any information between machines, send and receive e-mails via their company account and they even have the ability to print to the office laser printer just as easily as if they were physically in the office.
Microexpert says that the Remote Network Access System is "highly advantageous" to companies who need to support travelling executives, field engineers, or people working from home. The gateway is secure and brings greater freedom, flexibility and convenience to employees and employers. It also allows companies to extend their corporate network to smaller locations and multi branch outlets without the need for additional leased lines.
An additional benefit is the added security that comes from the USB tokens, supplied in conjunction with the service. USB tokens offer a smart-card-based network login system without the need for an actual card reader.
Instead the device plugs into a computer's standard universal serial port offering a fully portable and cost-effective means to authenticate users and to digitally sign sensitive business transactions.
These devices are the size of a standard house key and allow users to store all security passwords and desktop settings giving them the ability to use any machine anytime with all your settings the way they are on the individual's own PC.
"USB tokens are supplied with Microexpert's Remote Network Access System because it is an ideal marriage which saves a significant amount of money for a company with multiple employees needing to access a virtual private network from both home and work," says David Everett, Microexpert's CEO.
The secure link-up works by forming a virtual "tunnel" though the internet from the users machine to the company's network. This tunnel then forms the basis of a protected seal for the established communication.
Data sent through the tunnel is encrypted at the senders end then decrypted at the receiving end. This means that no data that is not properly encrypted can enter the secure link-up. No unauthorised access to the network can be established by any malicious intruder nor can transmitted data be intercepted.
Everett adds, "The main advantage for an organisation to install a VPN system with USB token cryptography is obvious, it extends their office network on a global scale, it reduces their operational costs versus traditional WAN, it reduces transit time and transportation costs, it improves productivity and is a scalable, inexpensive and secure remote access solution for home workers, field engineers and travelling executives."