IT staff trying to stay a step ahead of malware must run as fast as they can just to stay even. However, effective new tools are coming onto the market that coordinate and incorporate different approaches to security. Many of these tactics consist of what Info-Tech Research Group calls “adaptive security,” which provides consolidated management of systems, users, and data sources to help ensure security. Yet security cannot be allowed to make the network inaccessible or cumbersome for valid users.

Today’s bad guys are criminals trolling for passwords, looking for client credit card information, and basically treating the corporate network as a place ripe for theft. Add to that the fact that today’s small to midsized enterprise is juggling many aspects of security, from intrusion detection to network behavior analysis to virus scanning, and there is a need to gather all of this diverse data and centralize control of the security function. Three companies in particular have newer, unique approaches to security.

Steelcape

“Typically, management is concerned about security. The IT people are concerned about accelerating data. Our goal is to give both what they need,” says Dean Norman, vice president of sales at Steelcape (www.Processor.com/Steelcape-Inc). Steelcape’s approach allows sending data without opening ports. “Everyone has firewalls and open ports. We strive to capture functionality without bothering users.”

Steelcape provides security without layering multiple security protocols, each trying to solve TCP/IP’s security requirements. Steelcape’s approach to the TCP/IP transport layer eliminates the need to open ports, which all but kills the opportunity for security breaches.

One concern for both users and vendors is not getting too far ahead of the curve. “Our approach is easy to try and takes only minutes to set up,” says Norman. It has zones, similar to those used on VLANs. One would expect those using LDAP or Active Directory to have rules in place, but there are several reasons why it does not happen, he says, noting the problems some SMEs have implementing the rules.

Ironically, some of Steelcape’s advances go back to the days of token ring and AppleTalk networks. “They had a lot of functionality,” Norman notes.

Steelcape provides secure interaction by reducing the complexity of security architecture, improving TCP/IP performance by up to 30%, and closing ports to eliminate hacker paths, Norman says. In addition, it provides segregation, digital signature management, and encryption.

Steelcape lets secure data traverse the traditional firewall unhindered. “Our unique protocol lets SMEs use encryption, digital signatures, and a faster communication speed than using the traditional TCP/IP technology for communication,” Norman says. He adds that the solution is not a replacement for TCP/IP but an alternative way of communicating between hosts. “It is 100% compatible with existing TCP/IP version 4 and 6,” he adds.

Because of this flexibility, it makes an ideal VPN or VLAN alternative. Steelcape can be deployed from either a hardware appliance version or specific platform software-based agent.

A user who wanted to test it could set up the basic point-to-point implementation. “It takes minutes to show results,” Norman says. With the product’s Enterprise Manager, users can see adequate reporting, managing of the digital signatures, and encryption rules. It works with all flavors of Windows, as well as Linux, AIX, HP-UX, Solaris, and AS/400. It requires 64MB of free memory, 200MB of disk storage, and at least 5GB disk storage if the reporting option is enabled.

By JOEL RUSSELL
Los Angeles Business Journal Staff

Joseph Cohen sells stuff that most people never think about until a disaster happens. Steelcape Inc., the latest venture from the 28-year-old serial entrepreneur, protects large computer networks by closing ports to the Internet.

Encryption remains the underlying principle of the computer security industry, but Steelcape begins with a different approach. Although on a physical level the typical desktop PC connects to the Internet through a single cable, on the software level it has many “ports” or access routes. Some of these are open-or-closed arrangements, while others are continually open. For example, since the computer doesn’t know when an e-mail might arrive, the inbox port stays open all the time.

Steelcape’s software closes those open ports and its patented blend of algorithms and data packet configuration limits attacks for the instant the port opens. The company’s tagline – “Putting the wall back in firewall” – sums up its sale pitch.

The company spent almost its first two years developing the technology. It only started to market the product five months ago, targeting the legal, medical, entertainment, and financial service industries. Early clients include DataLok Co. in Los Angeles and Seals Health Care Equipment in Costa Mesa. According to the pro forma, the company expects to reach breakeven this year.

Cohen started his first computer consulting business at age 14. Two years later he became the youngest certified Microsoft engineer in the world. While working as a consultant for Unocal, Microsoft, Novell and other major corporations, he came to the conclusion that instead of giving his good ideas to them for a fee, he should find a way to generate continual income for his efforts. Hence the desire to start his own company.

Along the way he also learned how to access money for a tech startup. He financed Steelcape with his own money and angel investors, deliberately sidestepping venture capitalists who are prevalent in the technology sector. “Try to avoid VC funding,” Cohen advises. “VCs tend to look at young people as easier prey.”

Hiring looms as the biggest challenge for the entrepreneur, given the relatively small pool of people with technical skills in Internet security. Likewise, good sales people in technology are hard to find in the current market.

Like other young chief executives, Cohen has suffered from people who don’t take anyone under 30 seriously. “The good news is that in the tech industry, they’re used to young people,” he said. “Today it’s easier than 10 years ago, but I don’t think it will ever be easy… There’s always that barrier that if you haven’t run a Google or a Viacom, you can’t be a success.”

During his stint as a consultant, Cohen learned that all companies have profit centers and cost centers, and he spent his time problem-solving for the cost centers. Now that he runs Steelcape, his attention must shift to the profit centers. In terms of his maturation as a manager, “that makes it difficult, but now that I’ve overcome that, we’re well on our way,” he said.

Steelcape, Inc., a provider of next-generation network security that secures and accelerates data across the enterprise, announced that DataLOK, a leading information company for storage, retrieval and security management of services, has deployed Steelcape’s technology to secure and accelerate corporate-critical data through the company’s firewall. Steelcape announced the deal at the Data Protection Summit today in Irvine.

Steelcape’s Gateway Server augments security in TCP/IP environments that protect corporate-critical data in customer environments by closing open ports in the network and bolstering the network’s performance bandwidth by as much as 30 percent.

With all ports closed and secure by Steelcape, DataLOK reports a significant increase in network throughput. DataLOK is using Steelcape’s innovative security software to secure its environment. DataLOK’s customers can safely and securely access their files remotely online after the phase II rollout is completed. DataLOK expects to begin testing of the phase II components in the next 90 days.

“Protecting content from outside hackers is a problem for every company that needs to secure vital information,” said Sean Kelley, district manager, DataLOK, a two-time Inc. 500 growth company, based in Los Angeles. “Steelcape’s new software allows us to do so with confidence. By closing all open ports in our TCP/IP network, the Steelcape Gateway(TM) Server protects us from common security vulnerabilities and hacking opportunities. In addition, we have been able to minimize bandwidth requirements to optimize our network speed and performance.”

“Steelcape ensures that the information that DataLOK stores for its clients is secure through a patented-digital signature solution that permits access only to authorized and authenticated users,” said Joseph Cohen, president and CEO Steelcape Inc. “We’ve developed technology that effectively automates the process for finding and closing open ports on the network. We’re pleased that a company like DataLOK, which places such high value in rock-solid security, is using our product to protect content.”

Leveraging their operating systems and networking expertise, Steelcape has developed an alternative, but compatible TCP/IP communication method that results in secured data to be able to traverse the firewall unhindered. This approach uses encryption, digital signatures and a faster communication speed than using the traditional TCP/IP technology for secure communication. This solution is not a replacement for TCP/IP, but a complementary and alternative way of communicating between hosts and offers organizations an alternative to secure VPN or VLANs. The Steelcape Gateway is fully compatible with existing TCP/IP version 4 and 6.

Steelcape Gateway can be deployed in a multi-platform environment and is scalability tested to support as many as 20,000 nodes as well as popular operating systems including Microsoft Windows, IBM, Sun, HP, Linux, Java, Novell and Apple. Closing open ports allows Steelcape’s Gateway(TM) to drastically reduce the possibility of security breaches. Bypassing the transport layer allows administrators to decentralize an organization’s enterprise architecture, reduce bandwidth requirements, and dramatically lower the cost of security, and eliminate opportunities for entry by outside hackers. Steelcape co-exists in the TCP/IP protocol stack through a set of patented computing algorithms that results in ports not opening through the firewall. IP packet manipulation allows packets to pass through firewalls unchallenged and unmodified.

LOS ANGELES & SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Steelcape, Inc., a new provider of next-generation network protocol technology that augments security in TCP/IP environments, today launched Steelcape Gateway™ 2.0, a software security solution that closes open ports in a TCP/IP-based network to provide unhackable security for network users. In addition, by closing open ports in the firewall, Steelcape Gateway™ software bolsters the TCP/IP bandwidth to speed the deliver of content-critical data over the Internet.

The primary enhancement in V 2.0 is the addition of the Steelcape Enterprise Server™ which facilitates the management of the Steelcape Gateway™ s and adds the ability to segregate the Steelcape network into Zones for increased data security. Steelcape Gateway™ doesn’t open ports in a TCP/IP-based network that are vulnerable to hacking opportunities and minimizes bandwidth requirements for sending digital content. Steelcape will offer more information on this new product at the RSA Conference 2007 in San Francisco. Steelcape is based in the Initiative for Open Authentication (OATH) pavilion #1724 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

“To keep hackers out of your network, you need to close the doors that allow them in,” said Joseph Cohen, president and CEO, Steelcape, Inc. “We close all open ports on the firewall making it virtually impossible for a hacker to break into the network through TCP/IP. The Steelcape Gateway is an effective alternative to more tradition VPNs, VLANS and SSL-VPNs.

Steelcape’s Gateway™ Security software uses a unique protocol that effectively coexists with TCP/IP to provide a new approach in network and content security. Steelcape’s Gateway™ is a software-based agent solution or can be deployed as a external hardware appliance that facilitates secure communication between computers without requiring server interaction. Steelcape Gateway™ can be deployed in a multi-platform environment with scalability tested to as many as 20,000 nodes and supports popular operating systems including Microsoft Windows, IBM, Sun, HP, Linux, Java, Novell and Apple.

1/31/07 - Steelcape joins the Industry’s Club of “Hot Companies”

LOS ANGELES (January 31, 2007) – Info Security Products Guide, a leading publication of security-related products and technologies, has named Steelcape, Inc. as one of its Info Security “Hot Companies” winners for 2007.

Steelcape, a new provider of next-generation network protocol technology that augments security in TCP/IP environments, was selected from an industry analysis of more than 500 prominent info security vendors around the world for this award based on the 4P’s (people, products, performance, and potential).  The Hot Companies 2007 selection also raises the bar significantly for others in the industry to provide customers with effective and deployable protective solutions against the next generation of highly sophisticated and super-blended attacks.

The evaluation process for these awards included a strong entrepreneurial spirit, seasoned executives with relevant experience, a clear understanding of the security market, products and solutions that are positioned to take advantage of emerging marketing opportunities and a developed revenue growth model with expansion strategies.

“We are thrilled with the recognition for our Steelcape Gateway™ security solutions,” said Joseph Cohen, president and CEO, Steelcape, Inc.  “We believe we offer an innovative improvement over more traditional security technologies, and one that even optimizes bandwidth and improves transfers and performance.  This award validates our product and our strategy for the market.”

“Security is one of the top issues with almost every organization,” said Rake Narang, editor, Info Security Products Guide.  “Vendors that are building success strategies based on the four pillars of strength are the ones best positioned to protect digital resources in 2007.  Steelcape is a key player in TCP/IP-based software.”

Steelcape’s Gateway™ Security software uses a unique protocol that effectively coexists with TCP/IP to provide a new approach in network and content security. Steelcape’s Gateway™ is a software-based agent solution that facilitates secure communication between computers without requiring server interaction.  Steelcape Gateway™ can be deployed in a multi-platform environment with scalability tested to as many as 20,000 nodes and supports popular operating systems including Microsoft Windows, IBM, Sun, HP, Linux, Java, Novell and Apple.

By closing firewall ports on the network, Steelcape’s Gateway™ reduces the risk of all security risks.  Bypassing the transport layer allows administrators to decentralize an organization’s enterprise architecture, reduce bandwidth requirements, and dramatically lowering the cost of security.

Steelcape can co-exist in the existing TCP/IP protocol stack through a set of patented computing algorithms that results in ports not opening through the firewall. IP packet manipulation allows packets to pass through firewalls unchallenged and unmodified.

About Silicon Valley Communications

LOS ANGELES (November 14, 2006) – Steelcape, Inc., a new provider of nextgeneration network protocol technology that augments security in TCP/IP environments, today announced that the company has successfully deployed the first version of its Steelcape Gateway™ software at SEALS Healthcare, a large healthcare products provider based in Costa Mesa, California.

SEALS Healthcare, a major online retailer for various Healthcare products such as wheelchairs (www.sealshealthcare.com), is using Steelcape’s Gateway™ solution for proactive transactional security through software-based drivers. Steelcape actually delivers fast and secure online transactions by what it doesn’t do – Steelcape Gateway™ doesn’t open ports in the network that are vulnerable to hacking opportunities and minimizes bandwidth requirements for eCommerce. By not opening ports, Steelcape Gateway™ ensures that SEALS Healthcare’s point-to-point
TCP/IP transactions are fast and secure with all transactions being encrypted. This endpoint security from Steelcape ensures that SEALS Healthcare is fully HIPAA compliant.

“We are one of the largest wheelchair distributors online, yet most of our customers are older computer users who are still somewhat reluctant to buy anything online,” said Scott Webster, COO/CFO SEALS Healthcare. “With Steelcape’s Gateway solution, we want our customers to know their transactions are safe from hackers and will speed through the network so their order can be processed as quickly as possible”.

“We’re delighted to have our beta software up and running at SEALS Healthcare,” said Joseph Cohen, CEO of Steelcape. “Our patented approach to network security eliminates the need to open ports on the network yet allows important transactions to go through. We are the first company to offer a unique protocol that effectively coexists with TCP/IP in this manner. We realize this is an absolutely new approach in security strategy. We are excited that SEALS Healthcare is an early adopter of this solution.”

The Steelcape’ Gateway™ software offers end user organizations a number of important security features and benefits. This software-based agent solution facilitates secure communication between computers without requiring server interaction. Steelcape can be easily deployed in a multi-platform environment and presently can scale to 20,000 nodes. It facilitates communications with all major operating systems including:

• Microsoft Windows
• IBM
• Sun
• HP
• Linux
• Java,
• Apple
• Novell.

By eliminating the need to open rewall ports, Steelcape’s Gateway™ reduces the risk of internal and external security risks, which lowers the cost of security for Steelcape’s customers. Direct communication with each computer in the network dramatically reduces bandwidth requirements and lag time, as well as the number of servers required in a data center. By bypassing the transport layer, administrations can decentralize an organization’s enterprise architecture and dramatically reduces security and IT costs.