Secure SSL Telnet Terminal Emulation

Secure SSL Telnet with PASSPORT Terminal Emulation

Zephyr and RSA Security foster secure TN3270 and TN5250 Emulation from Windows

Secure Sockets Layer, or SSL, is a connection-based protocol that uses public key cryptography to provide secure server communications. In the case of TN3270 and TN5250 emulation, this can mean secure access to the latest releases of OS/390, OS/400 or IBM® Communications Server using PASSPORT. The immediate beneficiaries of SSL are remote users who access data over the Internet, including insurance, banking and financial institutions.

Public Key Cryptography

Public key cryptography assures private and secure data transmission through two processes: authentication and encryption. Authentication ensures that the data sender is exactly who or what it claims to be. Encryption, the most effective way to achieve data security, is the process of translating data into a secret code. To demonstrate the difference between 40-bit, 56-bit and 128-bit encryption, let's refer to the following example from RSA:

Real World Example

" Equated to the real world, sending information without encryption is like sending a postcard through the mail - the contents are visible to anyone who wants to see it. Using this analogy, 40-bit encryption is like sending the information in a plain white envelope, and 128-bit encryption is like encasing your data in a lead-lined, 6-inch thick titanium safe that is being transported by an armored tank with a convoy of a hundred armed guards. In other words, 128-bits is considerably more secure than 40."

Public and Private Keys

Authentication and encryption use digital codes called "keys" - a public and a private key. The public key is used to encrypt messages, and the corresponding private key is used to decrypt them. It is important to note, however, that despite their symbiotic association, it is virtually impossible to infer the private key if you know the public key.

The public key has two major functions: validation and data encryption. As its name suggests, the public key is openly published to any party requesting one of these two functions.

The private key on the other hand, is necessary for encrypting data (also called signing) and for decrypting. Unlike the public key, this key is closely guarded.

Digital Certificates

Digital certificates are a standard way of binding a public key to a name. In order to provide a digital certificate, the data sender must apply for a digital certificate from a Certificate Authority (CA) such as VeriSign. This way, the CA acts as a neutral third party that verifies the data sender is who or what they claim to be. Once this information is verified, the CA can issue a public key certificate for that party to use. The most commonly used standard for digital certificates is X.509. A universal standard of this sort is necessary because in order to send encrypted data, you must know the recipient's public key.

Download a Copy Now

Download a fully functional trial copy of PASSPORT PC TO HOST® Terminal Emulation. The evaluation copy can be downloaded and running in minutes, and offers fully functional TN3270, TN5250, VT100, VT220, VT420, SCO ANSI and Wyse 60 emulation with a built-in expiration date. Once your evaluation is complete, you can convert the trial copy of the software into a production version with a simple electronic code.