OBERURSEL, Germany, February 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Utimaco - The Data Security Company adds support for Windows Vista BitLocker Drive Encryption with Utimaco's security suite SafeGuard Enterprise (US-Version: at the RSA Conference in San Francisco) (EU-Version: at CeBIT Fair in Hanover, Germany). Windows BitLocker is a full volume encryption data-protection feature available in Windows Vista Enterprise and Ultimate editions. With SafeGuard Enterprise this new feature can be used in combination with other encryption methods while easily managed across heterogeneous platforms.

Within the framework of the SecureIT Alliance, Microsoft invited Utimaco and other security partners to work with the Windows Vista product team to advance the capabilities of Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption by offering centralized policy based management using SafeGuard Enterprise for a variety of encryption techniques across heterogeneous IT environments. Utimaco SafeGuard Enterprise on Windows Vista supports encryption of non boot media, such as additional hard disk partitions and various types of removable media. The encryption functionality of SafeGuard Enterprise eases administrative management by supporting Microsoft Active Directory and Group Policy to help enforce an enterprise wide data protection policy, including key management, key recovery requirements, and emergency procedures.

"Microsoft has a strong relationship with Utimaco, and we are excited about their next-generation introduction of SafeGuard," said Gerry Albert, Director of SecureIT Alliance for Microsoft Corp. "Microsoft worked closely with Utimaco's development team to help optimize support for innovative encryption technologies in Windows Vista and other products within our portfolio - advancing state-of-the-art data protection to better guard mutual customers' valuable information assets."

"Our longstanding strong relationship with Microsoft is a major component to achieving our goal as The Data Security Company to help protect valuable customer data," explained Malte Pollmann, Vice President of Utimaco. "By including support for Windows BitLocker, we demonstrate how expanded technical cooperation increases value to new and existing customers of SafeGuard Enterprise.

Additional information: SecureIT Alliance: www.secureitalliance.org Utimaco Safeware AG - The Data Security Company. http://www.utimaco.com Rieke Bönisch rieke.boenisch@utimaco.de

Additional information: SecureIT Alliance: www.secureitalliance.org, Utimaco Safeware AG - The Data Security Company., http://www.utimaco.com, Rieke Bönisch, rieke.boenisch@utimaco.de

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