PITTSBURGH, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- A recently concluded test pitting
an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network against 30 of the best
``hackers'' in the business proved conclusively that sensitive film
production files can be transmitted with complete security over wide
area connections. The test was conducted over a network featuring
products provided by FORE Systems (Nasdaq:FORE), a worldwide leader in
networking products based on ATM technology.

To test the limits of network security, ETC assembled an experienced
group of ``hackers'' -- Ph.D.s from USC and MIT -- who repeatedly
tried without success to gain access to production files moving
between test nodes at TRW, USC, and Warner Bros. Feature Animation or
residing on servers at those locations. The group spent a total of
about 15,000 man-hours over a three-month period on the project.
 
According to Thomas MacCalla, associate executive director of ETC, the
HolleyNet test bed illustrates ATM's inherent security features along
with the technology's flexibility in both LANs and WANs.
 
`The HollyNet security test proves that a secure production WAN is no
longer a theoretical game, and that ATM's practicality and value
continue to grow as more companies of all types adopt it for their
networks, '' says Carter Bullard, security architect, FORE Systems.
``FORE Systems is proud of the role we play in enabling entertainment
and production companies to improve the quality of their art, and we
look forward to continuing our partnership with ETC in HollyNet.''

[The source speaks volumes. PRNewswire. The fact is, four of the people
 in on the test were NOT PHDs, and were successful in gaining logins
 and passwords to the network. Their time was cut short by the company
 who hired them to test aspects of this network, so further penetration
 attempts were not possible. The fact that these hackers from a large
 security firm could get as far as they did was "not expected at all".]


=-= Original Article =-=

 
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- A recently concluded test pitting
an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network against 30 of the best
``hackers'' in the business proved conclusively that sensitive film
production files can be transmitted with complete security over wide
area connections. The test was conducted over a network featuring
products provided by FORE Systems (Nasdaq:FORE), a worldwide leader in
networking products based on ATM technology.
  
The Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) of the University of
Southern California school of Cinema - Television recently completed
extensive security testing for HollyNet(TM), an entertainment
industry-wide initiative for building a high-speed, broadband network
that serves as a common production platform. HollyNet acts as an
integrated utility, offering users transparent, secure, reliable, and
economical transfer of data, audio, video, and multimedia over a
shared network infrastructure controlled by the production community.
 
Industry concerns about the security of transmitting sensitive
production files over a WAN prompted the security test bed, which
included participation by more than 30 companies, including 15
ForeThought(TM) partners. The group worked with FORE to design a
security architecture that relied on authentication procedures,
firewalls, and encryption to protect against unauthorized access. To
test the limits of network security, ETC assembled an experienced
group of ``hackers'' -- Ph.D.s from USC and MIT -- who repeatedly
tried without success to gain access to production files moving
between test nodes at TRW, USC, and Warner Bros. Feature Animation or
residing on servers at those locations. The group spent a total of
about 15,000 man-hours over a three-month period on the project.
 
With the help of an ATM link provided by Pacific Bell, the ETC's ATM
network utilizes permanent virtual circuits in the network core to
connect users, further ensuring security by, in essence,
``hard-wiring'' connections between locations while enabling them to
operate at ATM rates. FORE's ForeRunner(R) ASX-200BX ATM switch linked
the USC and TRW nodes to the WAN backbone, with the third link
provided by NorTel's Magellan Vector switch, each running at 155 Mbps.
ForeRunner network interface cards (NICs) provided desktop ATM
connectivity for all workstations, and the network was controlled by
FORE's ForeView(R) Network Management software, which also collected
test data for analysis.
 
According to Thomas MacCalla, associate executive director of ETC, the
HolleyNet test bed illustrates ATM's inherent security features along
with the technology's flexibility in both LANs and WANs.
 
``ATM is already widely used by dozens of production companies in
Hollywood and elsewhere,'' MacCalla says. ``FORE has been a
significant contributor to this security test, which demonstrates that
an ATM network can also support secure WAN connections. Through
HollyNet, many different companies involved in a production can be
connected over the network to save significant time and costs, without
fear that their dailies will end up on an unauthorized desktop or out
on the Internet. With ATM, users can work regardless of location and
enjoy superior performance, Quality of Service, reliability, and other
features essential for producing complex feature film projects.''
 
MacCalla predicts that the ``HollyNet concept'' will eventually extend
worldwide, linking Southern California with major film centers
elsewhere in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and South
America.
  
`The HollyNet security test proves that a secure production WAN is no
longer a theoretical game, and that ATM's practicality and value
continue to grow as more companies of all types adopt it for their
networks, '' says Carter Bullard, security architect, FORE Systems.
``FORE Systems is proud of the role we play in enabling entertainment
and production companies to improve the quality of their art, and we
look forward to continuing our partnership with ETC in HollyNet.''