VMware and the National Security Agency Team to Build Advanced Secure Computer Systems
PALO ALTO, Calif., January 31, 2001-- VMware, Inc. today announced a cooperative research and development agreement for a joint initiative with the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) to enhance and certify the security of VMware's virtual machine technology. The project, which builds upon VMware's patent pending MultipleWorlds(tm) technology, will enable government users to safely use commercial off-the-shelf software for certain sensitive or classified applications and environments.
NSA's project NetTop plans to use security enhanced virtual machines as building blocks for applications requiring separation of information domains, such as providing secure remote access to classified computer networks over the Internet. NSA expects NetTop to deliver components suitable for use by the national security community. VMware plans to incorporate the security enhancements resulting from the agreement in its future product releases.
"Users in the national security community have an increasing need for commercial off-the-shelf software, and to provide them with this functionality without compromising on security, we currently require them to use different computers for different applications," said Paul Pittelli, Director of Information Assurance Research at the National Security Agency. "A security enhanced virtual machine monitor is an important component to help us provide practical security solutions for our customers by allowing them to use commercial software safely. We are impressed with the VMware technology and look forward to a productive research partnership."
"VMware's technology already provides a high level of security," said Mendel Rosenblum, chief scientist, VMware. "NetTop will take virtual machine security to the next level by making separation and isolation certifiable. This level of security is obviously important for government users but will also appeal to security-conscious commercial users."
Details of the NetTop project are available at http://www.vmware.com/pdf/TechTrendNotes.pdf
About VMware
VMware serves enterprise IT groups, service providers and technical professionals with software for delivering managed services on Intel computers safely, reliably and on demand. VMware(tm) software products are based on the company's patent pending MultipleWorlds technology, which combines classic virtual machine technology with advanced virtual networking and mainframe-class system and resource management capabilities. Founded in 1998, VMware delivered its first product in May 1999. VMware has more than 500,000 registered users including 5,000 corporate customers in 100 countries. VMware is a privately held company based in Palo Alto, California. For more information, visit VMware's Web site at http://www.vmware.com.
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