This is a copy of the C2Net Press Release from 12 Jan 1998

The introduction of the Stronghold Crypto Engine makes it possible for non-US web sites running Microsoft's Internet Information Server to operate using the same high-security, full-strength encryption technology used in C2Net's Stronghold secure web server. In the past, such sites were limited to using weak, "export grade" cryptography which has been proven insufficient to resist even attacks by bored college students.

"Many website administrators run Microsoft IIS for reasons which make it impractical for them to use our Stronghold secure web server instead," said Sameer Parekh, President of C2Net Software, Inc. "I am glad we can now provide those customers with the high-security, performance, and flexibility of our advanced web server encryption technology."

Because C2Net develops its products outside the United States, the company's strong cryptography solutions can be sold legally to customers worldwide. For example, the Stronghold Crypto Engine along with other C2Net products are currently being used in the "maxi multimedia network," a pioneering project providing citizens of Victoria, Australia with secure online access for conducting government-related transactions such as vehicle registration, bill payments, changes of address, and so on.

The Stronghold Crypto Engine also supports hardware encryption acceleration from a number of vendors, including nCipher and Rainbow Technologies. Customers with high-volume secure transaction requirements can use the Stronghold Crypto Engine to run these hardware acceleration products with Microsoft IIS, increasing secure transaction throughput.

"Using nFast together with the Stronghold Crypto Engine is an ideal marriage of complimentary encryption technology and gives customers throughout the world a strong cryptography environment for conducting secure business on the Internet," said nCipher's president, Alex van Someren.

Stronghold Crypto Engine is available from the C2Net web site for evaluation downloads at http://www.c2.net/products/stronghold-ce/.

C2Net Software, Inc. (http://www.c2.net/) is the leading provider of uncompromised network security software. Through its international offshore development programs, all C2Net products are exempt from U.S. government export restrictions, allowing the company to offer uncrippled, strong cryptography solutions to customers worldwide. Its Stronghold web server is the number one secure web server in the world, according to a recent survey by Netcraft, Ltd.