Computer Associates Ups Red Hat Linux Security Level

In an effort to increase security options for e-commerce professionals who run Linux, Computer Associates International, Inc. (NYSE: CA) announced this week that it has extended the functionality of its eTrust Access Control for UNIX security solution to support the Red Hat distribution of the open-source OS.

Expanding upon an earlier agreement, Computer Associates' eTrust product will allow Red Hat Linux users to protect critical data and online business applications with security policies that forbid and deter unauthorized access.

eTrust Access Control utilizes a graphical user interface (GUI), pre-configured baseline security privileges, and secure access to server-based resources to allow e-commerce organizations to manage user access privileges centrally. The technology also features profile groups, which allow users to implement security policies based on role or group membership.

"Linux has demonstrated growing popularity as a Web server and will continue to grow as an accepted platform for eBusiness and e-commerce," CA security business manager Simon Perry said. "CA has extended the enterprise-class access controls provided by eTrust Access Control to Linux, ensuring that the eTrust suite continues to support the wide range of technologies driving today's Web-based business initiatives."

Facilitating Linux Acceptance

eTrust Access Control, designed to be an out-of-the box solution, supports all industry-standard databases and applications, and, according to Computer Associates, includes published interfaces that allow it to secure any resource. CA's eTrust security suite includes stand-alone solutions for anti-virus, enterprise user management, intrusion detection and Web single sign-on.

"The eTrust Access Control product line has proven itself on major server platforms," stated Dennis Szerszen, director of security strategies at Hurwitz Group. "This announcement, in addition to CA's recently announced partnership with Red Hat, will further facilitate the acceptance of Linux as a server platform in eBusiness applications."

The Red Hat Connection

Computer Associates recently announced a distribution, marketing and support agreement with Red Hat. According to the agreement, which builds upon an established relationship, Red Hat will bundle enterprise management solutions produced by Computer Associates with the Enterprise Edition packages of its Linux distribution package.

The Computer Associates direct sales organization will in turn sell Red Hat's enterprise support agreements to users of its Unicenter TNG management product for Linux. "CA recognizes the crucial role that the Linux operating platform has assumed within today's highly competitive business landscape and technology infrastructures," commented Computer Associates president and COO Sanjay Kumar.

Red Hat Enterprise users will now have access to Computer Associates solutions, including the ARCserveIT storage, InoculateIT anti-virus, MasterIT Linux-based Web management and NetworkIT centralized management products.

Computer Associates has entered into similar strategic relationships with Linux vendors Caldera Systems, SuSE and TurboLinux.