Roke Appointed as UK Government's Only PRIME Conformance Test Facility

ROMSEY, England, February 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Roke Manor Research Ltd (Roke), a Chemring Group company, has been appointed by CESG, the UK Government's National Technical Authority for Information Assurance, as the UK's only Conformance Test Facility for Protocol Requirements for IP Modular Encryption (PRIME). The PRIME framework is the UK's framework for ensuring interoperability between large UK government networks such as the Public Services Network (PSN).

All network encryption devices claiming conformance to the PRIME framework specifications must undergo independent third-party testing by Roke as part of the PRIME certification process. Testing is conducted using the Tester for IP Modular Encryption (TIME) tool, which is software developed by Roke to test whether a device conforms to the PRIME specifications.

Tom Murdoch, Head of Cryptography for Information Assurance at CESG, said: "I'm really delighted by this news. PRIME is the UK's strategic standard for IP crypto, so it's essential that we are able to offer this flavour of conformance testing."

Stephen Grinham, Managing Director at Roke Manor Research, said: "By building on our existing conformance and interoperability testing capability, the PRIME service further establishes Roke as product independent experts in the field of IP network encryption. The combination of our HAIPE and PRIME knowledge, our independence and our extensive experience of testing for fixed and mobile networks in the commercial and defence sectors makes expanding our testing services into the PRIME domain an easy transition. Our appointment as the PRIME Conformance Test Facility for the UK is testament to Roke's pedigree in this area."

Roke will also offer device vendors an informal pre-accreditation test service, where an experienced team of engineers will be available to recommend how any non-conformances might be resolved before embarking on the full test and PRIME conformance process. A number of additional services, such as customised versions of the TIME tool to test proprietary device features, will also save vendors time and money which would otherwise have been spent performing manual tests.

In addition to providing conformance testing services to device vendors, Roke will also offer fully customisable testing programmes to system integrators and government customers. Current testing programmes include single device, interoperability, stress and performance testing, as well as system testing using full network topologies. Roke also provides integration consultancy and customised testing programmes, including the latest High Assurance IP Encryptor (HAIPE), PRIME and NATO networked crypto interoperability specification versions.

For more information about the Roke Prime Conformance Test Facility please visit http://www.roke.co.uk/ctf/prime.html

About CESG http://www.cesg.gov.uk

CESG is the UK Government's National Technical Authority for Information Assurance (IA), responsible for enabling secure and trusted knowledge sharing. CESG aims to protect and promote the vital interests of the UK by providing advice and assistance on the security of communications and electronic data. It delivers information assurance policy, services and advice that government and other customers need to protect vital information services.

About Roke  http://www.roke.co.uk

Roke, based in Romsey, Hampshire, is the principal electronics research and development centre of Chemring Group Plc. Founded in 1956, Roke is one of the UK's leading suppliers of innovative solutions and contract R&D, pioneering developments in electronic sensors, networks and communications technology. It employs 450 staff and has over 430 patents to its name.

About Chemring http://www.chemring.co.uk

Chemring is a manufacturing business with facilities in eight countries selling high technology electronics and energetic products to over eighty countries worldwide.

• The Company has a diverse portfolio of products protecting military people and platforms against a constantly changing threat.
• Operating in high margin, niche markets with short product development timescales, Chemring has the agility to rapidly react to urgent customer needs.
• Chemring adopts a balanced strategy of organic growth and small bolt-on acquisitions, and maintains balanced geographic and market profiles, with a growing presence in non-NATO countries.
• Strong R&D investment for new products and improvements in technology continually allows Chemring to expand its addressable markets.