Hitachi Cable, Ltd. recently verified integrated operations of its Apresia authentication switch *1 and the SecureCube/PC Check (LAN-Blocker) comprehensive PC security management solution produced by NRI Secure Technologies, Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Hiroshi Terada; hereinafter referred to as ''NRI Secure''). This solution enhances our lineup of PC quarantine LAN solutions that protect against in-house network virus infections from notebooks and other PCs carried into a site. NRI Secure has jointed the Apresia security-alliance partner program, EnSEC, promoted by Hitachi Cable.

Recent years have seen a growing awareness of issues related to corporate information network security, prompting firms to reinforce in-house PC security measures, generally via firewalls and antivirus software. But the widespread use of notebook PCs means that virus infections contracted outside the workplace often spread to office networks when employees bring the computers into the site.

To protect against such virus infections, companies and other organizations are increasingly adopting PC quarantine LAN systems. There are four primary methods of building such a system, based on authentication switches, DHCP servers *2, personal firewalls *3, or IPS *4. Of these, the authentication switch method relies on an authentication switch to ensure that a PC carried in from outside the workplace is not permitted access to the in-house network until antivirus or other security checks (quarantines) have been completed. This system provides a more robust, reliable system with less chance for false positives than the three other options.

We provide PC quarantine LAN solutions based on Apresia NA (Network Authentication), a unique authentication function of Apresia system. In addition to the security provided by the authentication switch method, the switch allows the quarantining of terminals connected to desktop switches and wireless LAN access points implemented under Apresia, making it possible to establish a PC quarantine LAN system simply by replacing certain switches in the existing network *5. This functionality also reduces implementation costs.

Hitachi Cable and NRI Secure recently verified integrated operations between Apresia and SecureCube/PC Check (LAN-Blocker), an NRI Secure-developed solution. Capable of performing in-depth assessments-even of inspecting OS (Operating System) settings and settings for mail and web browsing applications as well as the PC patch *6 application status, SecureCube/PC Check (LAN-Blocker) makes it possible to establish an even more advanced PC quarantine LAN system, based on integration with Apresia. Moreover, NRI Secure will participate in EnSEC, our recently established security alliance program.

By working with our EnSEC partners, enhancing our security solutions lineup, and taking advantage of sales routes opened through Apresia sales partners, we plan to redouble efforts to expand our Ethernet switch market share among enterprises and service providers. We currently project sales of 10 billion yen for the Fiscal 2007.

*1	Apresia is a registered trademark of Hitachi Cable, Ltd.
*2	DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server method: Implements quarantines by changing the IP address assigned to a client post-quarantine and trapping pre-quarantine clients in the quarantine segment. Although users with DHCP can use this method simply by replacing their DHCP server with the appropriate equipment, quarantines are not possible when fixed IP addresses are assigned to terminals.
*3	Personal firewall: Implements quarantines by checking the terminal status with a firewall installed on the terminal, allowing communications only after security is confirmed. Although this method does not require servers and is implemented simply by installing the appropriate software on the terminal, in-house networks can be accessed by PCs carried into the site and by other terminals on which the software is not installed.
*4	IPS (Intrusion Prevention System) method: Provides in-house network security by checking communication status and blocking client communications identified as potential attacks. This method is problematic for reasons including false positives resulting from mistaken pattern interpretations, the operational burdens imposed, including periodic pattern updates, and the relatively costly equipment.
*5	The Apresia NA's port-sharing mode allows the quarantining of terminals connected to desktop switches and wireless LAN access points implemented under Apresia, enabling authentication of 300 terminals per Apresia switch.
*6	A patch refers to a file containing corrections made to resolve OS or software application problems.

Supplementary Information

EnSEC Partner List (as of October 26, 2005)

Classification Product Company PC Quarantine LAN Solution [For example, protection against viruses from connected terminals] SecureCube / PC Check (LAN-Blocker) NRI Secure Technologies, Ltd. NOSiDE NTT Data Intellilink Corporation F-Secure Quarantine Controller Japan F-Secure Corporation User Auth-entic-ation Solut-ion Single Sign On (SSO) [Allows certain specified operations and use of specified applications following one-time authentication.] Single Sign On for Apresia Kyosai Create Co., Ltd. NSAS Sony Broadband Solutions Corp. NET TIME Corporation  Fingerprint authentication [A type of biometric authentication using user's fingerprint]  UB-Safe DDS, Inc. Hardware authentication [Authentication based on terminal hardware information] RegistGate NSI Co., Ltd. ROUD Oki Network Integration Co., Ltd. Signature authentication [A type of biometric authentication based on a user-specific characteristic, such as handwriting]  C-Sign Server/Client Cyber SIGN Japan Inc. Matrix authentication [Authentication based on icons or other patterns displayed on a matrix]  WisePoint Authenticator Falcon System Consulting, Inc. RADIUS (authentication) server full flex Accense Technology, Inc. Enterpras Standard Stellar Craft, Inc. Steel-Belted RADIUS Funk Software, Inc Terilogy Co., Ltd.