Siemon's Category 7 TERA® Becomes the Only Copper Network Cabling System to Pass TEMPEST Security Testing

For Immediate Release
May 23, 2006

Siemon's Category 7 TERA^® Becomes the Only Copper Network Cabling System to Pass TEMPEST Security Testing

Independent, NSA-Certified testing facility confirms that TERA is suitable for use in high security TEMPEST-rated environments

Dayton T. Brown, Inc., a National Security Agency (NSA) certified testing facility, recently confirmed that Siemon's category7/class F TERA end-to-end network cabling system is suitable for use in high security classified networks such as those that follow TEMPEST/EMSEC guidelines, making it the first and only copper cabling system to meet these stringent requirements.

TEMPEST/EMSEC is a U.S. government code word defining the counter-intelligence standards developed to protect secure data transmissions from electronic espionage. Although actual requirements and test parameters are classified, it is widely known that TEMPEST/EMSEC specifications set out extremely strict limits on signal radiation from data networks.

"TEMPEST/EMSEC provide practically impenetrable security standards. The US government developed it to ensure that classified data in organizations like Homeland Security and the military we're absolutely secure." said Carrie Higbie, Siemon's Global Network Applications Market Manager, "Although only select government agencies have access to the full TEMPEST requirements, private enterprises with high data security needs are looking to TEMPEST-style installations. That is what makes TERA important - it gives the private sector a network cabling option deemed suitable for the highest levels of government security."

While there is individually approved equipment, the US TEMPEST certification applies to a complete system. In a network environment, this all components, including the cabling plant. Emission control standards for cabling, combined with data encryption and other security systems allow for TEMPEST-level security.

Previously, in order to meet stringent TEMPEST requirements, copper cabling required very specific and labor-intensive installation practices, such as placing all cables individually in ferrous conduit as well as physically separating the cabling into secure and non-secure areas.

Dayton T. Brown, Inc.'s tests, however, confirm that TERA channels do not require conduit to prevent compromising emanations as a security measure and can be installed with limited separation between secure and non-secure channels. TERA utilizes fully-shielded S/FTP cable and fully shielded connectivity. In S/FTP cable, each pair is individually shielded and an overall braid shield surrounds all conductors. This shielding eliminates any potential security gap caused by signal radiation or emission. Additional shielding is integrated into the outlets and plugs, eliminating all potential emissions from the overall cabling system.

In addition to its high-security capabilities, TERA is the highest performing twisted-pair copper cabling system available, offering performance up to and beyond 10Gb/s. This increased ability to support future application speeds translates into a longer functional lifecycle and thereby, better total cost of ownership.

Siemon's TERA is part of the most comprehensive line of 10Gb/s cabling solutions available. For more information on Siemon's entire 10G ip™ product family, including 10G 6A UTP™, 10G 6A F/UTP™ and TERA as well as XGLO^® fiber optic solutions, visit www.siemon.com.

About Siemon
Established in 1903, Siemon is an industry leader specializing in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA Siemon has global offices and partners throughout the world. Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) and fibre cabling systems available. With over 400 active patents specific to structured cabling, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company's long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.

Siemon’s Australian head office is located in Allambie Heights, Sydney, with offices also located in Brisbane and Melbourne.

For more information about this press release, please contact:
Alana Patton
The Siemon Company
Marketing Communications Executive
Tel : (02) 8977 7500