Emulex and IBM Collaborate

Emulex Corporation is collaborating with IBM Corp. to deliver a host-based encryption solution based on the Emulex Secure Host Bus Adapter (HBA) technology and IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager.

This solution will change the way enterprises secure data by providing a cost-effective, easy-to-use solution that protects data outside the server, no matter where it goes, for data in-flight on the network and for data at-rest on disk arrays.

“Enterprise key management is an essential feature that security-conscious companies demand. Emulex and IBM are taking this to the next step by collaborating on the newly developed Key Management Interoperability Protocol (KMIP),” said Steve Daheb, chief marketing officer and senior vice president of business development, Emulex. “With this combined solution, IT managers will have a seamless standards-based encryption solution that will enable them to achieve maximum enterprise-wide data center protection, without impacting server performance, delivering better security at a cost point well below other data encryption approaches.”

The powerful combination of Emulex Secure HBA technology, the first host-based encryption security solution that offloads encryption processing onto the HBA to protect data in flight and at rest, and IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager, an enterprise-class key management application that centralizes and strengthens the key management process, delivering the first storage solution that moves encryption as close to where the data is used as possible, delivering the encryption solution that customers need to address the numerous compliance and regulatory requirements that impact the business.

“IBM is committed to bringing solutions to market with partners, such as Emulex, that help our customers improve service, reduce costs and better manage risk and compliance issues,” said Venkat Raghavan, director of security, risk and compliance, IBM security software. “By combining market leading IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager with Emulex’s host-based encryption solution, customers can minimize the risk of loss or breach of sensitive information and facilitate easy compliance management of regulatory standards that are becoming increasingly stringent. This is a powerful, standards-based step for providing security for both virtualized and cloud environments.”

Implementing a host-based encryption security solution improves the data center’s security stance and minimizes the window of data vulnerability, because data is protected where it’s created, in the host. With Emulex Secure HBAs, companies benefit from cost-effective, enterprise class security, buying expensive appliances that don’t scale or adding unneeded complexity. Emulex Secure HBAs enable end-users to move away from CPU (Central Processing Unit) intensive host-based encryption software that may either hobble their servers or inhibit the deployment of virtualized servers.

Emulex Secure HBA technology leverages field-proven, virtualization-tuned, high-performance Fibre Channel Storage Area Network (SAN) connectivity, allowing customers to extend their existing investments in infrastructure, management, training and processes. Emulex previewed this enterprise class security solution at the RSA Conference Europe 2009 in London.