Chapter 16. The Secure Sockets Layer

“Hewlett-Packard holds a leadership position in the emerging market in Web server security. With its complete solution portfolio that includes such proven software products as Virtualvault, Webproxy, and Webenforcer, hardware products, appliances and consulting services, HP's cross-platform security solutions offer strong customer benefits for protecting Web servers and associated applications.”

—Chris Christiansen, VP of Internet Infrastructure and Security Software at IDC (April, 2001)

In This Chapter:

• The need for security without slowdowns

• The Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)

• SSL demands on processing power

• Reasons for Itanium's outstanding performance

• Who benefits from Itanium speed for SSL transactions

The explosive growth in electronic commerce has led to a rash of new concerns, mostly regarding privacy and security when it comes to the transfer of funds or sensitive information. As a result, the need to provide secure Web transactions has also increased. During each and every transaction that is made online, it's likely that the data is kept secure by the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).