SafeNet helps keep much more than phone lines safe. The Belcamp-based information security firm is expanding its reach from not only protecting identities and securing communications, but to helping travelers more easily move through the airport.
Working with the Transportation Security Association, SafeNet was chosen by Security Biometric Clearing Network (SBCN) to provide information security. The process works by travelers volunteering to take a government screening process. Once approved, these travelers will be able to go through an accelerated screening process at the airport.
To secure the information stored on these fast-tracked check-ins, SafeNet got the nod.
“[SafeNet] stepped up when we needed a partner,” Patrick Osborne, chief investment officer of SBCN, said in a statement. “They listened to us to get an understanding of what we wanted to accomplish and thenworked with us to achieve our goals.”
And that?s the way SafeNet says it has aimed to do business for more than 20 years, said John Murphy, director of government solutions at SafeNet. Working with the Department of Defense and other branches of the government, the company prides itself on its ability to custom-build, supply and service different orders and requirements.
Founded in 1983 in Timonium by two former Nation Security Agency employees, SafeNet today is valued at more than $630 million. But the company does more than serve the government. Large commercial clients include Nokia, Bank of America and Texas Instruments.
“Starting from the design of their solution, we are engaged early enough that we know our customers? end game,” Murphy said. “We can help them craft it so it is more secure than something they could buy off the shelf.”
Two other successes for the area firm are its full-disk encryption solution, ProtectDrive, and its KIV-7M Encryptor. The ProtectDrive initiative, designed to protect laptops, workstations and servers, received top reviews, and more than 250,000 copies of it has been distributed to about 100 government agencies.
Conversely, the KIV-7M Encryptor has been so well received by the government in protecting data streams and information in motion that SafeNet had its initial contract of $150 million expire in only 14 months. The government renewed the agreement in March for $400 million.
At a glance
» Despite its private and public success, SafeNet Inc. has been in the news recently for the actions of Carole Argo, its former chief financial officer. Argo was indicted last week on charges of fraud and conspiracy during her time with the company.
