RSA SureFile combines RSA's encryption technology alongside PKWARE's PKZIP to create an encryption product that also compresses files and folders to save space and bandwidth. Because encrypted files are generally fairly random looking, they are incompressible by hardware that may be part of a bandwidth-saving infrastructure. So, it is better to compress files before encryption, or optimize both processes within one product as RSA Security has done.
It integrates with Windows Explorer so that the right-click pull-down menu includes RSA SureFile operations - and, incidentally, also standard unencrypted PKZIP operations. It integrates tightly with Microsoft Outlook to provide secure email attachments. Unlike S/MIME or other proprietary security technologies, The software is designed so anyone receiving an email attachment that has been encrypted using it can decompress and decrypt the file using RSA SureFile software, PKZIP, or a free PKZIP reader.
Files and folders may be encrypted directly onto removable media and a large encrypted archive can be automatically split across various media. Files on network drives are treated in the same way as if those on local drives, so encryption and decryption is completely transparent. RSA SureFile uses X.509 certificates, which can be stored on tokens to support two-factor authentication, and RSA BSAFE encryption. This includes 256-bit AES (although many other encryption algorithms are supported), to allow ZIP files and directories to be digitally signed for non-repudiation and data integrity, as well as encrypted for data privacy. It supports both password and certificate-based encryption, allowing secure data exchange with non-PKI-enabled individuals and companies.
Supported platforms include Windows 98SE/ME/NT4/2000/XP. Virus-scan support allows desktop-based, anti-virus programs to scan encrypted zipped files automatically after extraction. RSA SureFile software is also interoperable with RSA Keon digital-certificate management software, through which key recovery may be supported for less than $30 extra per user. A command-line interface enables IT support engineers to build scripted utilities that can take advantage of the strong encryption and data compression technologies in RSA SureFile.
