MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (September 24, 1997) -- Netscape Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:NSCP) today announced that the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is using Netscape SuiteSpot Server software to build a broad Extranet that will enable security professionals across the country to communicate and collaborate about national security related topics and take advantage of standards-based applications.
In order to utilize the Extranet, called the United States Government Extranet for Security Professionals (ESP), a member must have client software that includes 128-bit encrypted client such as Netscape Communicator. Security professionals who obtain membership to the Extranet will be able to gain access to a wealth of information on security activities, security policy development projects, threat information, calendar of security-related events, security reference library and international security. In addition, members will be able to engage in such activities as forum discussions, perform online clearances for different facilities, conduct online background checks, obtain visit certifications, engage in security awareness training and update their user information online. The Extranet will also be used for such critical functions as disseminating threat information in an expedient manner.
"We wanted to create an environment that could serve as an 'all-in-one' desktop for any security professional that is in the security business," said Matt Donlon, director of the Security & Intelligence Office. "By taking advantage of open, standards-based software such as Netscape SuiteSpot software, we are able to create applications that run across multiple platforms and leverage our existing infrastructure."
"Recognizing the numerous communication and business advantages of a private virtual network or Extranet, DARPA is leveraging Netscape's open standards software to meet the needs of the security professional community," said Mike Homer, executive vice president of worldwide sales and marketing. "Through its innovative Extranet, DARPA can allow security professionals to access the information and applications they need to do their jobs efficiently."
Through the Extranet, DARPA will make necessary information available to security professionals to assist them in their jobs. In the past a large portion of important information for security professionals was bundled with classified information. Now, with the demonstrated prototype of the ESP, much of the information that is not classified can be separated and delivered to members in an automated and easy manner. The ESP will also link to different government security databases. Data providers such as Defense Investigative Service (DIS) and other Department of Defense (DOD) and Intelligence organizations will provide members with access to information from these sites. The ESP will allow members to seamlessly access information housed in various DOD databases.
DARPA is in the process of utilizing Netscape Directory Server to manage user information including names, phone numbers and other directory data. Netscape's Global Directory services based on the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) provide the ESP Extranet with a manageable directory service that can be synchronized between several data providers over the Internet. This makes it easy to find people, services and information on the Extranet and provides the ability to maintain the integrity of user information. ESP also includes a policy development tool, developed by an in-house contractor (SecTeK, Inc.), which is similar to a multi-user word processor. DARPA can put up a document and divide it into several sections, different members can access the document, read a section, and provide comments; and members can vote on the different changes.
"This application allows for rapid policy development and is currently being used by the US Security Policy Board," said Donlon.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is the central research and development organization for the Department of Defense (DoD). It manages and directs selected basic and applied research and development projects for DoD, and pursues research and technology where risk and payoff are both very high and where success may provide dramatic advances for traditional military roles and missions and dual-use applications.
Netscape SuiteSpot 3.0 and Netscape Communicator provide enterprise customers with an integrated client/server software solution that enables organizations to communicate, access and share information easily both within the enterprise and with external customers and partners. Netscape SuiteSpot and Netscape Communicator are award-winning suites of products used for messaging, collaboration and groupware on Intranets and Extranets.
Netscape Communications Corporation is a leading provider of open software for linking people and information over enterprise networks and the Internet. The company offers a full line of clients, servers, development tools and commercial applications to create a complete platform for next-generation, live online applications. Traded on NASDAQ under the symbol "NSCP," Netscape Communications Corporation is based in Mountain View, California.
Additional information on Netscape Communications Corporation is available on the Internet at http://home.netscape.com, by sending email to moreinfo@netscape.com. Corporate customers can call 415-937-2555, while consumers can call 415-937-3777 for more information.
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