| Red Hat beefs up enterprise Linux desktop security |
Feb. 15, 2006
Red Hat Inc., which launched the "Security in a Networked World" initiative for Linux/open-source security last August, announced plans this week to fortify its enterprise desktop Linux platform. "Security" in this context, however, is about identity management and authentication, rather than the typical Windows concern with viral/worm protection.
Red Hat said the new release of its Certificate System, which will include enhanced identity and authentication management and will be available by mid-2006, will primarily focues on three security areas.
First, with the new release, customers will be able to issue and use smartcards that will support automated logins in a number of applications and operating systems, according to the company, including: Microsoft Windows desktops and servers, Internet Explorer, and Outlook Express.
Additionally, Red Hat said it is partnering with IBM and HP to develop new, deeper security criteria for US government customers.
Finally, Red Hat noted that it has received new certification from the Network Security Solutions (NSS) cryptography libraries for new security algorithms. Red Hat already has received certification with NSS for key algorithms AES, Triple DES, SHS, and HMAC, and is under evaluation for RHN, DSA, and RSA. This certification ensures that the cryptography empowering the Red Hat Certificate System now meets requirements set forth for strong cryptography controls in US government applications, the company added.
The Red Hat Certificate System, as it is now, includes integrated smartcard support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux platforms and open application platforms such as Firefox web browser and Thunderbird messaging system, but not for other proprietary web browsers or email clients.
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