In Brief: 128-Bit Encryption Made Available on Net

Harbinger Corp. said it has deployed 128-bit data encryption on its Internet-based system for electronic data interchange, TrustedLink Templar.

Harbinger gained a U.S. government exception to use the powerful data encoding technology, circumventing license requirements that have hindered exports of the software. Unrestricted data encryption keys of 40 bits in length are regarded as too insecure for sensitive financial transactions.

Templar customer Chase Manhattan Bank took advantage of the exception for Harbinger's KMI-key management infrastructure-in an Internet-based electronic data interchange service that was recently expanded to Australia.

Chase was able to "expand domestically tested, Internet-based services to international or multinational customers, providing them with powerful encryption and authentication technology," said Jeanine Khoury, vice president and product manager for Chase Treasury Solutions.