News

PGP Ships Updated Encryption Products

• By Stuart J. Johnston
• May 12, 2005

PGP Corp. is shipping updates to both its desktop and server encryption products aimed at centralizing policy management and expanding enterprise management features.

PGP Desktop 9.0 now works automatically to secure email, instant messaging, whole disk and file encryption without user interaction or training. According to a statement from the Palo Alto, Calif. company, it includes PGP Whole Disk encryption, PGP Virtual Disk encryption, PGP Mail, PGP Instant Messenger (which secures AOL Instant Messenger traffic), PGP Zip file compression, and PGP Shred for permanent file deletion.

Meanwhile, PGP Universal 2.0 now manages central security policies, key management, and key server functions for all PGP Desktop 9.0 clients. Both PGP Universal 2.0 and PGP Desktop 9.0 support all major certificate and message formats, including X.509, OpenPGP and S/MIME, according to the company’s statement.

One attribute of both desktop and server updates is the increased use of automation. Encryption can be triggered by policies or by specific words typed into the text of a message or by other attributes. For instance, for instant messaging, Desktop 9.0 will check whether the other party also has encryption.

“It doesn't matter which AIM client you use—AOL's, Trillian, or Apple iChat. If you start a conversation with someone else who has PGP Desktop 9.0, your conversation is encrypted without your doing anything,” Jon Callas, PGP's chief technology officer and chief security officer, says in a published statement. Whole disk encryption secures a PC’s entire disk, including boot volumes and removable media , such as flash drives.

Universal 2.0 improves system management capabilities and improves support for Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes. It also now integrates with all client systems, including both PGP Desktop and PGP Universal Satellite, a basic client with a minimal user interface. In addition, it consolidates functions such as managing groups of users and of coordinating with key servers into one place.