Product Comparison Spreadsheets
The three spreadsheets below are offered as a means to assist state agencies with comparing encryption hardware and software products offered through DIR's ICT Cooperative Contracts program. Collectively, the spreadsheets address 177 product specifications across six product categories: enterprise key management, full disk encryption, file encryption system, removable media encryption, electronic messaging (email) encryption, and tape/magnetic media encryption.
The Texas Common Encryption Working Group (TCEWG) compiled these specifications as part of its work in developing state encryption product requirements. TCEWG sent the list of specifications, in survey format, to vendors offering encryption products through their DIR contracts and then used vendor responses to populate the product comparison spreadsheets. Each spreadsheet, based on level of criticality, contains six tabs (one per encryption product category) and maps products against a subset of specifications.
Spreadsheets are formatted to print on legal-sized paper by default.
- Critical Specifications (Required) - XLS (175 KB)
- Important Specifications (Needed, but not required) - XLS (209 KB)
- Desirable Specifications (Additional specifications that may have value) - XLS (131 KB)
Information about file formats.
Levels of criticality are based on state encryption product requirements, which TCEWG based on the requirements used by the federal government and on functionality uniquely applicable to Texas government.
NOTE: Responses are reflected as received from the vendors. Neither DIR nor TCEWG have validated the accuracy of the responses. The data, as presented, reflects vendor responses on how products meet TCEWG requirements today. It is a snapshot in time meant to be used as a tool when researching encryption products. Final decisions concerning the purchase of product should not be made solely on the review of this spreadsheet.
Vendor Participation
You must be a current DIR contracted vendor in order to participate. DIR contracted vendors may submit changes and surveys until May 1, 2010. After that date, the goal will be to update the data on a semi-annual basis.
COMPLETING A NEW SURVEY
If you are a vendor that can sell encryption products through a DIR's ICT Cooperative Contracts and would like to participate, please download a blank survey, complete the survey in its entirety, and email the completed survey to DIR Security.
CORRECTING OR UPDATING SURVEY RESPONSES
If you have participated in the survey and wish to update your data as presented on the DIR website, please download a blank survey, complete only the information needing to be updated, and email the survey to DIR Security.
SURVEY
This spreadsheet is formatted to print on letter-sized paper by default.
- TCEWG Encryption Product Requirements Survey - XLS (78 KB)
About the TCEWG
In April 2008, DIR made a commitment to the Texas Business Leadership Council for Technology to facilitate a collaborative interagency effort through the formation of the Texas Common Encryption Working Group (TCEWG). The goals of the TCEWG were to consolidate opinions on common encryption needs, assess the need for new state encryption and data protection guidelines, and provide encryption requirements and specifications for future procurement initiatives that leverage the state's buying power.
Members of the group include
- Comptroller of Public Accounts
- Health and Human Services Commission
- Department of Aging and Disability
- Office of the Attorney General
- Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
- Secretary of State
- Department of Criminal Justice
- Texas A&M
- Department of Family and Protective Services
- Texas Education Agency
- Department of Information Resources
- University of Texas System
- Department of Public Safety
