Press Releases

Next Generation SCADA Network Security Appliance Provides Bulletproof Device-Based Authentication to Protect Control Systems Against Unauthorized Access

Irvine, CA - May 27, 2008 - Uniloc USA Inc., the leader in device-based authentication, today announced NetAnchor CIS^TM, a powerful device-based Identity and Access Management (IAM) appliance for securing critical infrastructures against potentially catastrophic threats. As Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) networks increasingly interconnect with IT networks, security solutions are required to prevent cyber-security threats from entering these once isolated environments. NetAnchor CIS uses physical device recognition in addition to password-based authorization to ensure secure access to these critical infrastructure control systems.

According to a report by the National Institute of Standards and Technology entitled Guide to Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security¹, "Threats to control systems can come from numerous sources, including adversarial sources such as hostile governments, terrorist groups, industrial spies, disgruntled employees, malicious intruders, and natural sources such as system complexities, human errors and accidents, equipment failures and natural disasters. To protect against adversarial threats (as well as known natural threats), it is necessary to create a defense-in-depth strategy for Industrial Control Systems."

NetAnchor CIS protects SCADA networks using Uniloc physical device recognition to restrict access to distributed field components to designated computers used by authorized personnel at the control center and in the field. With NetAnchor CIS, an authorized user must be on an authorized device to access control system networks. NetAnchor CIS provides notification and location of unauthorized connection attempts to the NetAnchor CIS Virtual Private Network (VPN) as well as attempted physical connection attempts to a NetAnchor CIS field security appliance. NetAnchor CIS also shields control systems against malicious code threats, ensuring against network vulnerabilities and allowing centralized field security monitoring.

Key NetAnchor CIS capabilities include:

• Protection of SCADA systems and field controls from the effects of cyber attack;
• Unprecedented hack-resistance--significantly improves upon traditional router, switch and firewall security;
• Uncompromising security on any infrastructure--including communication open standards such as Ethernet, wireless and the public Internet;
• Field access control--prohibiting network access from breached field substations or other network access points;
• Cross-platform compatibility with any and all operating systems and field control hardware;
• Notification and location of unauthorized NetAnchor VPN connection attempts; and
• Extraordinarily low impact on network performance.

According to analysts, as SCADA networks become increasingly interconnected both with each other and with enterprise information technology infrastructures, the risks of unauthorized access to and manipulation of these systems become unacceptably high. Because these networks are frequently central to critical infrastructure systems, such as electricity distribution, oil and gas production, and transportation systems, federal regulators have begun mandating cyber security requirements for them. For example, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has mandated eight Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards for electricity distributors.

"NetAnchor CIS is a critical component of a defense-in-depth strategy to protect SCADA networks from the threat of attack," said Jim White, VP of Sales and Business Development, Uniloc. "NetAnchor CIS protects the ICS with device-based identity management proven to defend public infrastructures from threats to these critical networks."

 

About Uniloc Device-Based Authentication

Physical Device Fingerprinting is the core technology behind NetAnchor CIS and is based on the fundamental principle that no two digital devices are identical. The process of physical device recognition starts by generating a digital identity for a device, known as its "Physical Device Fingerprint." A Physical Device Fingerprint is made up of a combination of machine characteristics and properties that are generated using a set of proprietary algorithms. The Uniloc Physical Device Fingerprinting algorithms allow the unique, reproducible identification of a device with an accuracy greater than 3.4 * 10^38, allowing Uniloc to identify devices with more comparable accuracy than human DNA. When applied to NetAnchor CIS, the stage is set for this device-based authentication to stand as the leading access control solution for infrastructure security.

NetAnchor CIS is available in limited release and is scheduled for general availability in early Q3/2008.

 

About Uniloc USA

Uniloc USA is the technology leader in electronic physical device recognition for critical infrastructure security. The core technology platform driving Uniloc innovation is Physical Device Fingerprinting, the company's patented method of uniquely identifying a user device, such as a PC or PDA, by the naturally occurring, inherent physical imperfections of that device, and then incorporating that physical device fingerprint into licenses or access credentials. Uniloc's technologies can identify devices with more comparable accuracy than human DNA. Uniloc is the inventor and holder of the seminal physical device locking patent (U.S. 5,490,216) and has 9 related patents pending. Uniloc has applied its Physical Device Fingerprinting technical expertise to several vertical markets, including software publishing, network authentication, transportation, social networking and DVD retailing.

¹ Guide to Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security, September 2007, NIST

Irvine, Calif. - May 27, 2008 - Uniloc USA Inc., the leader in physical device recognition for protecting intellectual property, networks and personal data, and Macrovision Corporation, today announced that they have settled pending patent lawsuits. Uniloc had sued Macrovision in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, claiming that Macrovision infringed U.S. Patent No. 5,490,216, entitled System for Software Registration. Macrovision had sued Uniloc in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, claiming that Uniloc infringed U.S. Patent No. 6,202,056, entitled Method for Computer Network Operation Providing Basis for Usage Fees, and other patents. The terms of the settlement are confidential.

Craig Etchegoyen, Uniloc's founder said, "We are very satisfied with the settlement, both in scope and application. We will continue to vigorously defend our intellectual property to ensure the market has a trusted source for securing software assets. By working through the issues associated to patent usage and rights with Macrovision, we believe Uniloc has even more solid ground to build on. We see especially intriguing opportunities and growth for our SoftAnchor line of products. Now more than ever software publishers have an ultra-secure license activation solution with SoftAnchor."

Physical Device Recognition (PDR) is the core technology behind Uniloc's patented technology solutions, including the SoftAnchor line of products, and is based on the fundamental principle that no two digital devices are identical. The process of Physical Device Recognition starts by generating a digital identity for a device, known as its "Physical Device Fingerprint." A Physical Device Fingerprint is made up of a combination of machine characteristics and properties that are generated using a set of proprietary algorithms. The Uniloc Physical Device Recognition algorithms allow the unique, reproducible identification of a device with an accuracy greater than 3.4 * 10^38, allowing Uniloc to identify devices with more comparable accuracy than human DNA.

Uniloc SoftAnchor makes it possible to implement and maintain highly secure, fully embedded product activation in house - with the comparable ease and simplicity of a security wrapper. SoftAnchor enables developers to quickly and easily implement fully embedded seamless security configurations, allowing an unlimited number of tripwires and validation checkpoints. SoftAnchor's thousands of code variations and obfuscation practices ensure maximum code protection--and the highest hack-resistance available. Unlike other one-solution-fits-all anti-piracy measures, if any one title is ever somehow cracked, that same crack will not apply to any other products.

SoftAnchor also delivers the first global piracy auditing solution, LicenseInsight^TM. With LicenseInsight, users are able to quantify how pervasive their software piracy issues are and adjust licensing strategies on-the-fly to set policies addressing casual sharing, open sharing and piracy. LicenseInsight provides real-time business intelligence about actual license usage with 100 percent accurate results, so that license management decisions are made on fact versus assumptions. Uniloc also allows 'Throttling', giving the ability to increase or decrease software copy parameters to strike a balance between help desk calls and piracy protection, and optimize viral marketing models.

 

About Macrovision

Macrovision provides a broad set of solutions that enable businesses to protect, enhance and distribute their digital goods to consumers across multiple channels. Macrovision solutions are deployed by companies in the entertainment, consumer electronics, information publishing and online distribution markets to solve industry-specific challenges and bring greater value to their customers. Among its offerings Macrovision provides embedded technologies to connect multiple devices, piracy protection, online commerce solutions for the publishing industry, and a broad digital database for music, movies and gaming content to enhance consumer access and overall experience with digital content and devices.

About Uniloc USA

Uniloc USA is the leader in electronic physical device recognition for software copy control and information security. The core technology driving Uniloc innovation is Physical Device Recognition, the company's patented method of uniquely identifying a user device, such as a PC, embedded device, smart phone or cell phone, by the naturally occurring, inherent physical imperfections of that device, and then incorporating that physical device fingerprint into licenses or access credentials. Uniloc's technologies can identify devices with more comparable accuracy than human DNA. Uniloc is the inventor and holder of the seminal physical device locking patent (U.S. 5,490,216) and has 15 related patents pending. Uniloc has applied its Physical Device Recognition technical expertise to several vertical markets, including software publishing, government network access control, online banking and trading, and CD/DVD anti-theft.

Maximum Software Selects Plimloc for Polite Software Activation, Strong Protection, Global Piracy Auditing and License Throttling

Irvine, CA - May 13th, 2008 - Uniloc USA Inc., the leader in device-based authentication, and leading e-Commerce solution provider, Plimus, today announced that Maximum Software has selected Plimloc global software protection as its software security and licensing platform of choice. Powered by Uniloc SoftAnchor^TM, and hosted on the Plimus e-commerce platform, Plimloc is loaded with the industry's most powerful anti-piracy and anti-fraud features available.

Plimloc prevents license exploitation; provides a global view of piracy-driven loss; and enables real-time license management via Uniloc Throttling to raise or lower device activation parameters while providing the strongest software copy protection in the industry. The award-winning anti-fraud capabilities of the Plimus ecommerce platform protect against fraudulent purchases, and ensure a steady and reliable stream of revenues.

Maximum Software is the software developer behind Bug Doctor, PC Registry Cleaner and PC Power Suite. Maximum Software provides solutions to users globally, with more than 15 million downloads of Bug Doctor alone. The company has focused on providing quality software solutions for PC users since 1999 and markets its products worldwide.

"We are excited to integrate Plimloc into our software offerings and upgrade our products in the field with these powerful capabilities. Our customers expect a better experience and Plimloc allows us to deliver polite copy protection and more lenient use parameters," said Shawn Shellenbarger, President and CEO, Maximum Software. "For us, Plimloc's innovative fraud and copy protection, license management and configuration flexibility allow us to optimize our licensing revenues while providing an enhanced customer experience -- a definite win-win."

Plimloc enables developers to quickly and easily implement fully embedded and seamless security configurations, allowing an unlimited number of tripwires and validation checkpoints. Plimloc's thousands of code variations and obfuscation practices ensure maximum code protection and the highest hack-resistance available. Unlike other one-solution-fits-all anti-piracy measures, in the unlikely event that any individual title is cracked, the same crack will not work with any other licensed product.

Included in Plimloc is Uniloc's global piracy and software license auditing solution, LicenseAudit^TM. With this feature, Maximum Software is now able to quantify software piracy levels and adjust licensing strategies in real-time to set policies addressing casual sharing, open sharing and piracy. Plimloc provides real-time statistics about actual license usage with 100 percent accurate results so that license management decisions can be based on hard facts rather than assumptions. Maximum Software will also benefit from Plimloc's license throttling capability, delivering the ability to increase or decrease software copy parameters to manage the flow of help desk calls and piracy protection while optimizing viral marketing models.

Physical Device Recognition is the core technology behind Uniloc SoftAnchor and is based on the fundamental principle that no two digital devices are identical. The process of physical device recognition starts by generating a digital identity for a device, known as its "Physical Device Fingerprint." A Physical Device Fingerprint is made up of a combination of machine characteristics and properties that are generated using a set of proprietary algorithms. The Uniloc Physical Device Recognition algorithms allow the unique, reproducible identification of a device with an accuracy greater than 3.4 * 10^38, allowing Uniloc to identify devices with more comparable accuracy than human DNA. In practice this results in the ability to smoothly identify requesting devices, allowing users to re-activate updated devices, while managing the ability to install trial versions.

"Polite software activation is no longer a ‘nice-to-have' for software publishers who place an emphasis on the customer experience," said Guy Wilnai, senior vice president, Operations for e-commerce solutions provider, Plimus, Inc. "We are pleased to provide this business-critical capability to Maximum Software and look forward to ongoing innovations from Uniloc."

 

About Plimloc--Powered by Uniloc SoftAnchor

Plimloc security for e-Commerce 2.0 combines the global availability, flexibility and reliability of the Plimus e-Commerce system with Uniloc SoftAnchor, which seamlessly integrates the most powerful IP protection into software development processes. By providing developers full access to the SDK, including easily integrated samples and solutions, the Plimloc integration process takes days, not weeks, for market-readiness. With Plimloc developers are no longer held hostage by third-party copy control providers as they now have direct access to software copy protection code. This gives publishers the flexibility to easily create, maintain and enforce a full range of rights and licensing models including trial periods and multi-device fair use. Plimloc is a copy protection platform that is further enhanced with the following capabilities:

• Bulletproof copy protection based on Physical Device Recognition -- the world's most powerful software security technology.
• LicenseAudit real-time global piracy auditing for comprehensive license visibility and actionable data that creates opportunity from piracy.
• Flexible license rule ‘Throttling' for providing balance between piracy levels and help desk calls, and optimizing the use of viral marketing tools.
• Award-winning fraud protection processes that ensure a steady and reliable revenue stream.

"Software piracy costs the software industry billions of dollars every year. But restrictive copy protection worsens the situation by inhibiting flexible use models," said Casey Potenzone, chief information officer for Uniloc. "The Plimus/Uniloc solution answers these challenges with the industry's most polite copy protection backed by iron clad software authentication and license auditing capability for greater security, usability and visibility."

 

About Plimus, Inc.

Plimus, Inc., a global e-commerce solutions provider, builds and manages online businesses for thousands of software publishers, web hosting companies and online retailers. Plimus helps companies and publishers of all sizes maximize online revenues and reduce the costs and risks of running an e-commerce operation.

The company's award-winning platform offers order management, fraud prevention, export controls, tax management, physical and digital product fulfillment, multi-currency and multi-language support, advanced reporting services, marketing tools, licensing management, an affiliate network, and much more.

Founded in 2001, the privately held Plimus is the winner of the 2006 Software Vendor Awards for Most Innovative Software E-commerce Service, Best Software E-commerce Customer Service & Support, and Best Overall Software E-commerce Value. Plimus is headquartered in San Diego, California.

 

About Uniloc USA

Uniloc USA is the leader in electronic physical device recognition for software copy control and information security. The core technology driving Uniloc innovation is Physical Device Recognition, the company's patented method of uniquely identifying a user device, such as a PC, embedded device, smart phone or cell phone, by the naturally occurring, inherent physical imperfections of that device, and then incorporating that physical device fingerprint into licenses or access credentials. Uniloc's technologies can identify devices with more comparable accuracy than human DNA. Uniloc is the inventor and holder of the seminal physical device locking patent (U.S. 5,490,216) and has 15 related patents pending. Uniloc has applied its Physical Device Recognition technical expertise to several vertical markets, including software publishing, government network access control, online banking and trading, and CD/DVD anti-theft.