Data storage switch maker Brocade Communications Systems Inc. and Thales e-Security Inc. today announced the integration of the Thales Encryption Manager for Storage (TEMS) with the Brocade encryption SAN switches.

The combination of TEMS, a standards-based encryption key management appliance for storage, and the Brocade Encryption Switch is aimed at securing enterprise data and addressing regulatory requirements surrounding customer data.

The new switch centralizes the data encryption process within storage area networks (SANs) by eliminating the need to deploy multiple storage encryption systems in front of primary storage arrays.

The Brocade Encryption Switch and the Brocade FS8-18 Encryption Blade the rebranded Thales TEMS -- are part of a family of SAN-based encryption appliances that target sensitive corporate data with high performance and centralized fabric management for both disk and tape-based storage systems.

The new appliance also consolidates and automates the management of encryption keys for storage systems.

The TEMS encryption blade supports the draft IEEE P1619.3 key management specification. According to Brocade, subsequent releases will also support the recently announced OASIS KMIP key management standard .

Encrypting sensitive information has become a security requirement for organizations across all industries, especially as data breaches continue to make headlines. Establishing standards like IEEE P1619.3 and KMIP is a significant first step toward simplifying encryption key management, but it is up to leading vendors to offer solutions that support these standards, said Jon Oltsik, principal analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group, in a statement.

Pricing for the new appliance was not immediately available.