HP Offers Security Services for Red Hat Linux

HP (NYSE: HPQ) on Thursday began offering new Multi-Level Security (MLS) Services for Red Hat (NYSE: RHT) Enterprise Linux 5.

The five support services are the first of their kind offered on the Linux operating system, according to Erik Lillestolen, government program manager for Open Source and Linux Organization at HP. The company made the announcement at the Red Hat Government Users Conference in Washington, DC.

Support options include long-term support and MLS solution on-site training. Also offered are MLS solutions design, implementation and validation, along with MLS support and standard support with level 1 and level 2 care pack.

"This is not a change in direction on the Linux security front. It is a continuation of a plan to work with Red Hat Linux Enterprise 5 to extend security services to prospective clients who want to go beyond the hardware we already developed," Lillestolen told LinuxInsider.

Secrecy Issues

The multi-level Security Services are compatible with a wide range of HP hardware products, including HP ProLiant, HP BladeSystem and HP Integrity servers as well as select workstations, desktops and notebooks. The hardware/OS platform is Common Criteria certified.

Initial users of the new multi-level security services will be government agencies. Other enterprise users of Red Hat Linux can extend the new security services when they are ready, Lillestolen said.

"Multi-level security is mission-critical for customers managing top-secret information, such as government agencies. HP is thrilled to deliver customers the first MLS offering for Linux in the industry, enabling the utmost in security without the complexity and cost of a proprietary operating system," said Lillestolen. "This is an important step in combating the perception that taking Linux security to the next level is a long and complicated process."

Key Benefits

Implementing the new MLS services will help to reduce risk, the company said. Users will gain a one-stop shop for an end-to-end solution delivery with technical expert and program resources across both HP and Red Hat.

It will also help users realize lowered security costs. Existing security teams can focus on high-value innovative projects. HP will deploy the MLS solution using a mainstream operating system on industry-standard hardware.

Breach Buffering

The MLS offering will help government agencies using Linux bolster their network security, HP officials said. For instance, adding multi-level security functionality from HP to the existing security features within Red Hat Enterprise Linux will help government CIOs ensure the integrity of sensitive information and limit its access to authorized personnel.

"With unauthorized intrusions and data breaches, ever-present concerns for federal IT departments, protecting sensitive and confidential data is of paramount importance as military, intelligence and law enforcement agencies coordinate efforts on national security initiatives," said Paul Smith, vice president of government sales operations for Red Hat.