HP security admits VeriFone
VeriFone software acquired by Hewlett-Packard will let credit card processors connect securely to the Internet within HP's security framework.
HP expects to have vGate, VeriFone's Internet commerce software for banks, running on Virtual Vault "in a matter of weeks or months, not many months," said Ray Bamford, business manager for Virtual Vault. He added that discussions of the project preceded the VeriFone acquisition. Virtual Vault provides network security beyond a firewall by securing the operating system, applications, and data.
He added that HP is also working on a port of Virtual Vault to the Windows NT operating system, a task he hopes can be completed this year. "From a market perspective, we believe there is a significant opportunity, so it's just a question of doing the work. It's a priority, but it's not a simple effort."
HP also said today that version 2.0 of Virtual Vault, is now shipping.
"Virtual Vault is the most secure way to Web-enable applications," Bamford said.
HP is targeting Virtual Vault, a technology it bought in February 1996 from SecureWare, for use in e-commerce and extranets when companies invite outsiders--customers and suppliers--to view some corporate data, but not all.
Virtual Vault 2.0 runs on the latest version of HP's Unix operating system, HP-UX 10.24, and includes a bundled copy of Netscape Communications' Enterprise Server 3.0.
Sweden's fourth-largest bank, SE Banken, and BellSouth are both using the latest version of Virtual Vault, the former for online banking and BellSouth for its ISP service.