HMRC saves over 2m using CESG certified Becrypt DISK Protect Industry/Government collaboration results in dramatic savings as pilot

delivers cost-effective, fast and secure access for HMRC laptop users London, UK, October 01, 2012 -- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is set to save up to 2.4m with the implementation of new disk encryption software. In a laptop ref resh project they have benefited from new full disk encryption software from Bec rypt. Becrypt, CESG and HMRC worked closely together to ensure that Becrypt DIS K Protect met the functional and security requirements of HMRC. As a result Bec rypt DISK Protect became the first product to be certified against the new Comme rcial Product Assurance (CPA) Scheme. During a pilot phase covering 300 laptops, HMRC experienced considerable benefit s over previous implementations. These included simplified faster deployment and centralised management. HMRC are now ready to deploy the product across furthe r laptops with the same security requirements. Stewart Weston-Lewis, Head of Service Design at HMRC explained; We considered a n eed/use case and believe that the CPA solution is appropriate for these devices where we would have traditionally defaulted to the CAPS solution (CESG Assisted Products Service). The security is appropriate for the protective marking of th ese devices. Implementing a CAPS solution was not justified given that the cost would have bee n 2.4m more and the CPA solution is sufficient for our requirements. CPA does not compromise standards. It balances the security of the product to the risks it i s exposed to. Jonathan Hoyle, Director General for Government and Industry Cyber Security at G CHQ, stated: CESG developed CPA to help UK Public Sector organisations identify good commercial security products and thus help to keep information secure. We n eeded to ensure that we maintained a pragmatic level of security, ensuring UK Go vernment can deliver its business whilst remaining safe against the likely risks we face. We are absolutely delighted with the experience and savings HMRC have found as a result of CPA, and we hope this will be repeated across other Governm ent departments. During market evaluation, HMRC looked at other vendors for full disk encryption and found DISK Protect to be both flexible and reliable. The ability to encrypt in the background while the user is still using the machine, with no discernible loss in performance, was seen as a key differentiator, even when compared again st so-called free software. The unique key management processes within Becrypts CPA certified solution allowing management to be centralised is far less cumbersome than some other alternatives, making deployment many times faster. Using Becrypt DISK Protect CPA, HMRC is now able to build laptops faster because their own engineers are able to install the full disk encryption. Key material is generated by the Becrypt software which reduces waiting time and significantl y simplifies management of the keys. Additionally, as high levels of personalis ation are no longer required, laptops can be allocated to staff much more quickl y. Weston-Lewis commented; Being able to deploy Becrypt DISK Protect CPA has not onl y saved HMRC 2.4m in deployment costs, it has provided a much improved user exper ience, and will enable us to manage laptops centrally, with all the further savi ngs that that implies. We now have a security solution which is commensurate wi th the risk posed. Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform, Chloe Smith MP, welcoming this

innovative collaboration said: "Approaches like CPA are important to keeping t he UK safe and secure in cyberspace. As we can see security doesn t need to be e xpensive. Excellent collaboration between government and industry can result in a solution that is fit for purpose and produces savings for the taxpayer." Bernard Parsons, CEO of Becrypt said, In these austere times where all organisati ons, particularly those in the public sector, are facing budget cuts, Becrypt is more committed than ever to providing innovative solutions to protect data. Ev en though budgets are reducing, cyber crime and threat levels are on the increas e, which is why it is crucial for organisations to find new ways of working. Th e collaboration between CESG, HMRC and Becrypt to deliver this new cost effectiv e solution supports the Governments Cyber Security agenda and shows what can be a chieved in the public sector when organisations work together. -endsNOTES TO EDITORS About Becrypt Becrypt is a leading supplier of innovative Information Assurance solutions and services, providing secure, feature-rich, out-of-the-box products that are gover nment-certified and suitable for all industry sectors. Becrypt is a leading supp lier of encryption technology to the UK Government, Ministry of Defence and UK P olice. Becrypt plays a leading role in the Information Assurance industry through membe rship and participation in various bodies including CIPCOG, DIPCOG and the Crypt o Developers Forum. Through technology and OEM partnerships Becrypt enables third-party solutions wi th encryption and other data security capabilities. Becrypt has offices in London, UK; McLean, VA, USA; and Sydney, Australia servin g clients worldwide. For more information please visit: www.becrypt.com For Media Resources including high resolution image downloads please visit: http ://www.becrypt.com/news-events/news About CESG CESG protects the vital interests of the UK by providing policy and assistance o n the security of communications and electronic data, working in partnership wit h industry and academia. CESG is the UK Government s National Technical Authority for Information Assuran ce (IA) and is the IA arm of GCHQ. CESGs core customers are the UK s central government departments and agencies, an d the Armed Forces. We also work with: The wider public sector, including the Health Service, law enforcement and loca l government All essential services that form the UK s Critical National Infrastructure, incl uding power and water. For more information about CESG see www.cesg.gov.uk For more information about CPA see: http://www.cesg.gov.uk/servicecatalogue/CPA

/Pages/CPA.aspx Editors Contacts : Keith Ricketts, Marketing Director, Becrypt, Tel: +1 (0) 7809 391 037, Email: kricketts@becrypt.com Andreina West/Mary Phillips, PR Artistry Limited, Tel: +44 (0) 1491 639500, Emai l: andreina@pra-ltd.co.uk GCHQ, pressoffice@gchq.gsi.gov.uk, 01242 221491 Ext 33847 Contact : Andreina West PR Artistry Lower Woodend Barns Fawley Henley-on-Thames Oxfordshire RG9 6JF 01491 639500 andreina@pra-ltd.co.uk http://www.becrypt.com