Equinix launches new offering to simplify data protection

Equinix has launched a global key management and encryption Software as a Service (SaaS) offering to simplify data protection.

With the implementation of General Data Protection Regulation(GDPR) just months away, the global interconnection and data center company has announced the launch of Equinix SmartKey.

The service leverages Equinix’s globally interconnected platform of more than 190 International Business Exchange data centers in 48 markets to securely host encryption keys separate from, but in close proximity to, the data located across networks and hybrid multicloud environments.

According to the company, the move to disperse data across multiple clouds and third-party providers creates an ‘immediate need that SmartKey is uniquely positioned to solve’.

Christina Richmond, program vice president, worldwide security services, IDC, said: “Digital transformation efforts by enterprises and service providers alike are moving more data and systems to the cloud, pushing an ever-increasing amount of sensitive enterprise and customer data to be stored in multi-tenant, shared computing and storage environments.

“This trend is being driven by data sovereignty requirements like GDPR, creating demand for secure data localization solutions like key management-as-a-service offerings such as Equinix SmartKey.”

SmartKey claims to be the industry’s first globally available key management and cryptography SaaS using Intel SGX technology, which ensures confidentiality of customer information. The service is powered by Fortanix’s next-generation HSM and features Fortanix Runtime Encryption technology to ensure the privacy of keys.

It provides security policy enforcement to improve corporate governance and provide optimal performance and simplifies key management in heterogeneous IT environments (provisioning, storage and management of keys in any public, private, hybrid or multicloud environment). SmartKey also provides HSM-grade security in an ‘easy-to-use cloud service’ with built-in encryption and tokenisation and FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certification.

Lance Weaver, vice president, emerging services, Equinix, added: “Given the cybersecurity risks of today’s distributed application, cloud and data environments, customers are turning to encryption as one of the most effective controls to protect their critical information, and as a result the need for private, secure, globally available key management becomes paramount.

“Equinix SmartKey solves this challenge by seamlessly integrating with public and hybrid clouds globally while providing the privacy that puts control of data back where it belongs–in the hands of the customer.”

Copyright © 2018 RegTech Analyst

Enjoyed the story? 

Subscribe to our weekly RegTech newsletter and get the latest industry news & research

Copyright © 2018 RegTech Analyst

Investors

The following investor(s) were tagged in this article.