Networks Unlimited celebrates PGP Corporation's 15 years of best-in-class PGP encryption technology

Networks Unlimited salutes PGP Corporation, a global leader in enterprise data security and encryption solutions, as it celebrates its 15th anniversary of PGP encryption technology.

Developed and released in 1991 by Phil Zimmermann, Pretty Good Privacy 1.0 set the standard for safe, accessible technology to protect and share online information.

Used by millions of users and tens of thousands of companies around the world, PGP technology continues to be recognised for its contributions to the software industry, Internet commerce, and the protection of privacy.

Recently, PGP encryption technology was named one of the top 25 most influential products of the first 25 years of enterprise personal computing.

"Back in the day, cryptography was regarded as somewhat questionable legally and now it's almost legally mandated, which goes to show just how far we've come," said Phil Zimmermann, creator and founder of the original company, PGP Inc.

"We've had to fight to get here, and PGP technology is in a much better place now than ever before. The PGP brand represents a legacy of providing average individuals as well as large enterprises with the benefit of e-mail and data security that comes from strong encryption technology."

Richard Clarke, internationally recognised expert on homeland and national security, cyber security, and counter-terrorism, and currently Chairman of Good Harbor Consulting, said: "Data encryption has become a critical component of every organisation's security framework, and PGP Corporation continues to be at the forefront of the industry. Phil Zimmermann's realisation that we need to take proactive steps to protect confidential information is even more important today than it was 15 years ago."

"Phil Zimmermann predicted more than 15 years ago that the commercial development of the Internet would put our privacy at risk. Against considerable odds, he founded Pretty Good Privacy to make encryption technology available to the masses," said Phil Dunkelberger, president and CEO of PGP Corporation. "The story has been told throughout the years but bears repeating because of Zimmermann's impact on the world around us. The man has single-handedly changed the way the world has looked at encryption and its possibilities."

Zimmermann developed the PGP encryption suite in 1991, initially to help human rights organisations communicate safely via electronic mail. The application was uploaded on the Internet and quickly proliferated around the world. The PGP core technology was later developed into commercial products with the same intent of enabling individuals and organisations of all sizes to protect their confidential information.

Zimmermann and his encryption technology found controversy over the years, but also received a host of accolades, including product of the year awards, innovation awards, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Secure Computing, among numerous other distinctions.

Now more than 15 years later, PGP Corporation extends Zimmermann's vision with a host of solutions that protect sensitive and confidential information. In use at 94 of the 2006 Fortune 100 companies, the PGP Encryption Platform secures e-mail, laptops, desktops, instant messaging, PDAs, network storage, FTP and bulk data transfers and backups, enabling organisations to reap best-in-class encryption in phases or as business requirements emerge and evolve.

The increasing threats to confidential information, along with global regulations and security best practices, contribute to the continued acceptance of the PGP encryption technology.

Dunkelberger continued: "The PGP Corporation of today is privileged to continue what Phil Zimmermann started years ago. Our investments, innovation and partner ecosystem enable us to help our customers realise the vision of protecting data in motion and at rest, wherever it resides. Much has changed in the last 15 years, but PGP technology remains synonymous with best-in-class, easy-to-use encryption. We congratulate Phil on this historic anniversary."

Networks Unlimited is the sole VAD for PGP in Sub-Saharan Africa and as such is proud to have PGP as part of our best-of-breed range of IT security solutions.

Networks Unlimited represents the following products as distributor: SurfControl's Enterprise Protection Suite, IronPort's world leading e-mail security products, Webroot SpySweeper, MIMESweeper and Castlerock.

Solutions are focused on providing tangible results to clients through network management, productivity and security solutions which is the key to networking communications. With offices in both Cape Town and Johannesburg, Networks Unlimited can ensure a global approach to service delivery for both the southern African and Sub-Saharan regions.

"That PGP was picked by eWEEK Labs as one of the Top 25 Products of the Last 25 Years, illustrates PGP is one of the products that changed the way everyone interacts with encryption," said Rudolph Pretorius, Product Manager for PGP in South Africa.

"PGP has enabled citizens across the globe to secure their communication and privacy."

For more information regarding PGP's range of products or becoming a reseller, please contact the Product Manager Rudolph Pretorius on +27 11 467 6000 or Rudolph@nu.co.za.