Townsend Security Announces New Encryption Key Management HSM for Microsoft SQL Server 2008

Mid-market SQL Server customers get an affordable new hardware security module option for compliance from Townsend Security

 

Townsend Security, a leading provider of encryption and encryption key management technologies announces a new hardware security module (HSM) that provides comprehensive key management for Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2.  Townsend’s FIPS 140-2 Certified HSM, Alliance Key Manager for SQL Server, provides Microsoft’s mid-market customers with the ability to meet regulatory compliance requirements for encryption and encryption key management.  Townsend’s HSM is the first of its kind to be targeted for small and medium businesses, and competitively priced for this market.

 

Recent news accounts have demonstrated how attackers have targeted small and medium businesses (SMB) because of their inadequate security measures. The most critical barrier SMB companies face is access to compliance solutions that are affordable.  Townsend Security recognizes this challenge and worked with the Microsoft SQL Server Product Group to develop the Alliance Key Manager for SQL Server HSM to focus on security, simplicity, speed and affordability.

 

Persio Afonso, Director Application Platform Marketing at Microsoft commented:

 

“As networks, devices and applications continue to proliferate at exponential levels and feed into the data explosion; organizations need to ensure information is secure and properly accessed by the authorized users to meet the always increasing levels of compliance and regulations. The expanding relationship between Townsend and Microsoft will deliver solutions to empower our joint mid-market customers to make secure, regulatory compliant data-driven decisions for the road ahead.”

 

A key feature of Alliance Key Manager for SQL Server is that it safeguards encryption keys and meets key management compliance requirements for regulations such as PCI DSS, HIPAA/HITECH and GLBA/FFIEC.  Alliance Key Manager for SQL Server stores encryption keys on a separate device away from the database server that holds the encrypted data.  Separation of data and keys is critical to protecting private credit card and health care data.  The Townsend HSM allows administrators to easily enforce separation of duties and control who has access to the encrypted data server and encryption key server.
 

Other benefits of Alliance Key Manager for SQL Server include:
 

- Automatic integration with SQL Server 2008 R2

- FIPS 140-2 certification ensures the highest level of compliance with regulations.

- Uses Microsoft’s Extensible Key Management (EKM) interface to support Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) on SQL Server 2008 R2.

- Enforcement of dual control and separation of duties by storing encrypted data away from the encryption keys on a HSM with secure access.

- Automation of all key management tasks including rotation, retrieval, and generation in a central location.   

- Priced to meet the budget needs of every enterprise.  An entry level 2-server bundle (primary and failover) is available for under $12,000 list.

 

“We have over 1,000 customers using Alliance Key Manager technology today,” says Townsend Security’s CTO and Founder, Patrick Townsend.  “Integrating Alliance Key Manager with SQL Server 2008 R2 was not just a natural step for our technology, it is also a great economic option for the market.”