iLinc Communications Announces Integration with Latest U.S. Government-Endorsed Encryption Standard - AES
February 12, 2004 09:00:00 AM ET
First Self-Hosted Web Collaboration Software with Government Approved Security Standard
iLinc Communications ILC, a leading provider of Web conferencing, virtual classroom and Web collaboration software, today announced the upcoming release of iLinc(TM) 7.3, which will allow organizations to encrypt their online meeting data using AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), the standard adopted by the U.S. government as the highest available level of encryption security. iLinc is the first and only carrier class Web collaboration software that incorporates AES, with the added security of offering a solution that can reside inside of an organization's firewall. iLinc 7.3 is scheduled for release at the end of February.
"Security is a core business activity, not just a technology problem. A security breach can severely damage important operations, reduce productivity, compromise data integrity, reduce customer confidence, disrupt revenue flow, and bring communications to a halt," noted Steve Peters, president of the Community Information and Telecommunications Alliance (CITA) and co-chair of the Arizona Cyber Security Alliance. The Security Alliance was developed to help the community understand the rising security threats and develop strategies to reduce personal, customer, and business risks. "iLinc's solution, with both SSL and AES, answers the need for truly secure Web collaboration and communication. CITA has used iLinc for several security events and statewide telecommunications policy planning meetings. We plan to use iLinc as a part of our statewide audio, Web and video conferencing network we are developing."
"We are very pleased to be the first Web conferencing company with this unique combination of SSL and AES that can also be installed inside our customer's networks," commented James M. Powers, president and chief executive officer of iLinc Communications. "Every organization associates a high value with data security, and our solution offers solid confidence that their information is protected from end to end."
Released in 2001, AES is estimated to be more than 32,000 times more difficult to decrypt than its predecessor, Triple DES. AES only requires one pass to encrypt data and was designed specifically to be fast, unbreakable, deliver superior performance, and make better use of resources. AES is imperative for organizations that value security as mission critical such as financial, high tech, and professional services organizations. It also provides faster encryption and compatibility with the widest range of devices.
iLinc uses a unique combination of AES and SSL to deliver end-to-end security. Online session details and content are housed in the iLinc Communications Center, which serves as an online management tool for scheduling sessions and storing user information and content. When a user logs into the iLinc Communications Center, their login, password, live session details, and content are protected by SSL. When users join live sessions, a unique AES key is generated for the first participant that enters the session. The key is then transmitted to all participants as they join the session. iLinc uses AES to encrypt all of the real-time data during the session and the AES key is discarded after the last participant leaves the session. This combination of encryption technologies provides data exchange speed and security unlike any other Web collaboration solution.
iLinc intends to add this "state of the art" encryption capability as standard for all customers that have selected the iLinc Web conferencing solution.
About iLinc Communications, Inc.
Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, iLinc Communications (formerly EDT Learning, Inc.) is a leading provider of Web conferencing, virtual classroom and Web collaboration software. Our software and services enable sales, training, marketing, and support professionals to collaborate in real-time via the Internet. The Company's flagship software, iLinc(TM), provides Web conferencing capabilities combined with collaboration tools, high quality voice-over-IP, and video conferencing, all in an easy-to-use interface. The Company distributes its products and services in North America through its direct sales force and worldwide through the Company's international re-seller network. The iLinc software suite is sold in 13 countries, with versions available in six different languages including English, Chinese, German, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. Customers can choose to have iLinc hosted by EDT through its ASP solution or can host it themselves as on-site software. LearnLinc(TM), part of the iLinc suite, won first place at the Synchronous e-Learning Shootout held at Online Learning's Conference, winning over such other notable companies as WebEx and PlaceWare. Under the EDT Learning brand, the Company also provides software and services specifically for the training industry including its i-Canvas(TM) e-Learning authoring software and an online library of training content that includes a business essentials program co-developed with the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. More information about all of the Company's products and services is available at www.ilinc.com and www.edtlearning.com or by calling (602) 952-1200.
