Popular e-mail encryption tool gets certified

PGP Corp., Palo Alto, Calif., has received FIPS 140-2 certification from the National Institute of Standards and Technology for its PGP Software Developer Kit, the company said.

PGP Corp. develops encryption technologies and other security solutions for messaging and information storage. Its e-mail encryption standard is recommended by NIST in its guidelines for ensuring e-mail security.

"We understand the many certifications and validations required by U.S. and international government agencies and technology organizations," said Phillip Dunkelberger, president and chief executive officer of PGP. "One major step is FIPS validation of the core cryptographic capabilities that underlie our secure messaging solutions."

Dunkelberger said PGP would make other certification-related announcements in the coming months.

The PGP SDK is the core software cryptographic module used in all of PGP's products, including its Universal, Desktop, Mobile and its new Command Line solution.

PGP officials said the company has been selling secure-messaging products to government agencies for several years. It has a partnership with Santa Ana, Calif.-based reseller Ingram Micro Inc. and is working to expand its base of qualified government partners holding GSA schedule contracts. According to the company, FIPS 140-2 validation will help PGP sell more security products to government agencies.