Thursday February 22, 8:35 am Eastern Time
Press Release
First Union Selects Tumbleweed Solution for Secure Internet Communication
Tumbleweed Secure Public Network(TM)(SPN(TM)) Allows First Union to Communicate Securely Over E-mail Using Server-to-Server Based S/MIME Encryption
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 2001-- Tumbleweed® Communications Corp. (Nasdaq:TMWD - news), a leading provider of mission critical messaging solutions, today announced that First Union (NYSE:FTU - news), the nation's sixth largest bank with over 16 million customers, will use Tumbleweed Secure Public Network(TM) (SPN(TM)) to centrally manage and secure e-mail communications between its banking and business partners, as well as its large customers.
Tumbleweed SPN is a server-based S/MIME (Secure/Multi-purpose Internet Mail Extensions) solution that utilizes digital certificates and integrates with First Union's existing e-mail architecture to ensure secure online communication between business partners and customers.
First Union is a founding member of Spectrum EBP, a bank-owned payment system utility that routes electronic bills and payments between billers and consumers. With Tumbleweed SPN, First Union can automatically secure its e-mail communication with other Spectrum member banks. Tumbleweed SPN automatically encrypts e-mails before they travel over the Internet, and then authenticates and decrypts messages at the server level before they reach the recipient's desktop. Neither First Union nor its Spectrum EBP partners will have to install new desktop software, manage desktop certificates, or retrain end-users to communicate securely over the Internet.
``Tumbleweed's technology enables First Union to secure the information we exchange with the Spectrum member banks, as well as our other business partners and large customers,'' said Kellie Scott, senior vice president and director of eChannels at First Union. ``Through our partnership with Tumbleweed, we can continue to build on First Union's strong foundation of online security as we expand our online services.''
``Because the Tumbleweed SPN takes advantage of the Internet's broad reach, it enables companies like First Union to bring a virtually unlimited number of partners into their secure communication network quickly and cost-effectively,'' said Jeffrey C. Smith, president and CEO, Tumbleweed Communications Corp. ``We're pleased to provide First Union with the ability to communicate with its Spectrum bank partners in a secure, open messaging infrastructure that supports their business objectives.'' |
