University of Illinois, Champaign Laboratory Instrumental in Developing Most Secure Linux Operating System in the World
Trusted Computer Solutions Operating Systems Lab Plays Key Role in Making Linux OS a True "Trusted" Operating System
Herndon, VA, and Champaign, IL, August 15, 2007 - Trusted Computer Solutions (TCS), a leading supplier of Cross-Domain Solutions for industry and government, today announced a team of its engineers located in the company's Trusted Operating Systems Lab, based in the University of Illinois (U of I) Research Park in Champaign, Illinois, were heavily involved in the open source efforts of developing the first trusted version of the Linux Operating System (OS).
Their efforts were built upon Security-Enhanced Linux (SELinux), an effort started by the National Security Agency (NSA), as a result of previous research projects, to increase security in Linux. The SELinux effort is currently directed by Stephen Smalley, a senior research scientist in the National Information Assurance Research Lab and one of a very few individuals to be named a Director of National Intelligence (DNI) fellow by the Director of National Intelligence.
The University of Illinois has a rich intellectual heritage of innovation in Information Technology and is dedicated to the ongoing development of leading edge technology and the collaboration between industry and academia. Some of the world's most recognizable and used technologies that have come out of the U of I include:
- In 1952, the university's digital computer laboratory developed the "Illiac", the world's first digital computer.
- In 1990, U of I invented the first electronic mail program, Eudora
- In 1993, the first Internet browser, Mosaic came out of U of I's Center for Super Computing Applications.
The University has also taken a leadership position in the Linux community with the development of Linux clusters to run large scale enterprise and production systems.
"The University of Illinois Research Park was a natural location for TCS's Operating Systems Lab where the bulk of our Linux development work takes place", stated Ed Hammersla, Chief Operating Officer for Trusted Computer Solutions. "Our team based here, together with other TCS engineers in Virginia and Texas, are known throughout the U.S. Government as some of the top security engineers. The U of I location gave us ready access to some of the greatest technological talent in the world."
"TCS products require a trusted operating system and we were very interested in having a trusted OS that was mainstream in order to give our customers choice and flexibility for hardware platforms", continued Hammersla. "That is why our team in Champaign became heavily involved in this development effort. Available today from Red Hat (Red Hat Enterprise Linux v. 5)," he concluded. Notably, RHEL5 was the first Linux OS to receive a Common Criteria Evaluation from the National Information Assurance Program (NIAP) with an EAL4 with the CAPP, RBAC and LSPP Profiles.
About Trusted Computer Solutions
Founded in 1994, Trusted Computer Solutions (TCS) is an industry leader in cross-domain solutions. The company's SecureOffice Suite of software products enable government and industry to securely share information, striking the right balance between information protection and information sharing, a vital component to national security. All SecureOffice products adhere to the most stringent security standards set by U. S. Government Agencies such as the Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency. SecureOffice products, which run on trusted versions of Linux and UNIX, are installed and accredited in operational systems around the world today protecting our nation's most sensitive digital information. TCS is headquartered in Herndon, Va., with offices in Champaign, IL and San Antonio, TX. For more information, visit www.TrustedCS.com.
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SecureOffice is a registered trademark of Trusted Computer Solutions, Inc. and Linux is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries
