Contact Information: Contact: Chris Whalen Fortress Technologies 813-288-7388 A.J. Guenther ConnellyWorks, Inc. 703-742-7184
Fortress Technologies Provides Secure Wireless for Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Communications System
Implementation Enables Disaster Recovery/Continuity of Operations Coordination During Crisis Situations
| Source: Fortress Technologies, Inc.
TAMPA, FL--(Marketwire - July 10, 2007) - Fortress Technologies, a leading provider of
security and secure wireless solutions, today announced that it has
incorporated its ES520 Secure Wireless Access Bridges into the Department
of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) emergency
communications system. VSATs are completely mobile communication units
that enable the establishment of secure voice, video and data capabilities
in areas that have no available infrastructure -- such as following a
natural disaster or terrorist attack. VSATs are deployed at VA facilities
in "high risk" hurricane areas down the east coast to Florida and in the
Gulf of Mexico region.
"During Hurricane Katrina, the VA lost all communications between its New
Orleans, LA and Biloxi, MS locations, making it extremely difficult to
coordinate disaster recovery/continuity of operations (COOP) plans," said
Dana Kuntz, Vice President, Federal Sales, Fortress. "As a result, the VA
took important steps to develop a mobile, wireless communications system
that would allow access to critical applications and patient information at
remote locations during an emergency situation. The VSAT provides this
capability."
As part of the VSAT, Fortress is providing secure wireless capabilities
through its ES520 Secure Wireless Access Bridges, an all-in-one deployable
networking solution that combines the functions of an access point, switch,
wireless bridge and security gateway in a form factor engineered
specifically for harsh outdoor environments. The Fortress ES520 provides
wireless infrastructure for mission-critical communications across fixed,
portable and mobile environments -- offering immediate "on-demand" secure
voice, video and data capabilities. The Fortress ES520 is currently
installed in five VSATs with plans to be integrated into eight more.
Each VSAT incorporates a satellite dish, generator/battery power, modem,
switch, router, hardwire data/Internet Protocol (IP) ports, wireless SIP
and IP phones, analog lines, laptops, copier/fax/printer, as well as video
conferencing equipment. The addition of the Fortress ES520 provides an
easy-to-install, small, compact, rugged device that offers the required
Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) security functionality and
increased backhaul -- improving the wireless connectivity range ten-fold.
The system has been proven through extensive testing at the VA's North
Little Rock, AR facility through exercises with state and local emergency
response teams.
"Fortress has a long history of supporting government healthcare facilities
with our secure wireless solutions," said Kuntz. "Having the VA's
confidence in us to deliver such a mission-critical program of providing
increased disaster recovery/COOP coordination in a wireless environment is
extremely rewarding. We applaud the Department for its initiative and
innovation as it looks to better serve its veteran patients."
About Fortress Technologies
Fortress Technologies designs, develops and manufactures market leading
security and secure wireless solutions for mission critical communications.
Rigorously tested and proven, Fortress products provide government and
commercial customers a flexible, single security solution regardless of
network infrastructure as well as industry leading secure wireless
products. Fortress' FIPS validated solutions work across fixed, portable
and mobile environments -- from the tactical edge to municipal networks.
Fortress enables immediate "on demand" secure voice, video and data
communications virtually anywhere and across all wireless transports
including Wi-Fi (802.11), WiMAX (802.16), free space optics (FSO), Military
RF and satellite. Fortress products are currently deployed in some of the
world's most demanding environments, supporting vital operations that range
from maintaining a forward presence to border protection to emergency
response.
For more information, visit www.fortresstech.com or call 813-288-7388.