15 July 1999
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 10:15:02 -0400
From: dlnews_sender@DTIC.MIL
Subject: DOD EXECUTES PKI LICENSE OPTION
To: DODNEWS-L@DTIC.MIL
= N E W S R E L E A S E
= OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (PUBLIC AFFAIRS)
= WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301
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No. 333-99
(703)607-6900 (media)
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 1999
(703)697-5737(public/industry)
The Department of Defense has acquired a capability to provide public key infrastructure (PKI) services, as part of its near-term efforts to go "paperless" and enhance the security of its information systems.
The Defense Information Systems Agency through the Integrated-Computer Aided Software Engineering contract has executed the final option of a DoD-wide license with Netscape Communications Corporation. The Netscape license provides the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community with a site license for a number of Netscape server products as well as the professional version of the Netscape client software.
The Netscape software, specifically the Certificate Management System (CMS) 4.1, will be a part of the pilot DoD public key infrastructure. The CMS 4.1 product provides functions such as issuing and managing digital certificates, encryption key recovery, support for Federal Information Processing Standard-compliant hardware cryptography, and support for the Digital Signature Standard.
The deployment of this product is part of the Department's efforts to transition to a paperless environment. With PKI technology, DoD will be able to ensure the authenticity of digital signatures on contracting documents, travel vouchers, and other forms that obligate taxpayer funds, to authenticate users of information systems, and protect the privacy of transactions over networks. DoD plans pilot programs in electronic commerce, as well as in the Global Command and Control and Combat Support Systems. PKI technology is also employed in the Defense Travel System to assure the authenticity of electronic travel transactions.
Details on the products and license can be found on the Internet at http://dii-sw.ncr.disa.mil/Del/netlic.html. Details on downloading the products can be found at http://netscape.intdec.com/disa/.
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