Senetas offers “encryption-as-a-service”

Senetas is an Australian designer and manufacturer of network encryption products offering different hardware with various speeds. Some of its clients include the Australian Federal Police and the US Department of Defence (servicing its Asia Pacific region base).

Graeme Kemlo, a media spokesperson for Senetas, told CRN that ‘encryption as a service’ is not a new concept and is based on the idea of ‘software-as-a-service’ model.

“For a customer, the ‘encryption-as-a-service’ will go through the establishment of a network encryption installation, which includes the provision of hardware, connectivity into router or whatever device an organisation uses and we will also provide installation of services. Then the customer would just pay a monthly fee instead of a total capital cost upfront,” said Kemlo.

“It’s almost like leasing a vehicle, with a lease agreement going on for two to five years, depending on an organisations cash flow."

According to Kemlo, after a four year period of the leasing agreement, an organisation has to pay just one dollar or offer a token gesture for the product. The encryption-as-a-service package is a financially approved package by the Australian Tax Office.

“At the end of the leasing period we would adjust payments to reflect the level of service required, if a customer wants to continue with the agreement. We can also upgrade customers from 10 megabits to 100 megabits and adjust the balance through the finance organisation,” he said.

Kemlo claimed Senetas’ network encryption hardware has a long lifespan. He points out Senetas’ installation of network encryption products for the Australian Federal Police is still in operation after four/five years.

“Senetas’ hardware products are not products with moving parts. These are hardware with high specifications network encryption products. Our gear is accredited by both Australian and US standards and these products can be shipped out anywhere,” he said.

Within Australia Senetas deals direct with customers, however it does utilise partners in the telecommunications area.

“If somebody wanted to buy encrypted telecommunications link, because of the technology (we deal with network only) one of our partners would need to provide that specific expertise. Largely we sell direct and we use partners where required,” he said.