Saturday, April 23, 2011

NMA ZSentry API -- Frequent Questions

[Target Audience: Developers and System Administrators]

The NMA ZSentry API is a secure software service that works in your environment. You can use the API both in a server as well as in a client context. There is no plugin or installation. With the ZSentry API you can readily connect, send, and store information securely, for example as a secure email, enabling secure communications in desktop, cloud, and mobile platforms, anywhere.

What is the NMA ZSentry API?
An SMTPS (SMTP over SSL, also called implicit SSL) service. You use the ZSentry API to connect your system to the ZSentry engine using TCP port 465 for encryption and decryption directly or through a message service or application. The resulting secure emails are encrypted per message and can be sent using ZSentry's own SMTP server, without requiring SSL, or can use another resource as a mail relay with or without SSL.

Why port 465?
With port 465 there is no ZSentry data exchange without SSL, including the ZSentry Usercode and Password data. Contrary to the submission port 587 with STARTTLS where the connection changes from non-SSL into SSL, port 465 has SSL-at-connect required. We prefer port 465 because every connection is encrypted from the start, preventing problems such as the SSL bridge attack (a well-known problem also for web browsers).

What server-side applications and servers are compatible?
The ZSentry API complies with IETF standards. ZSentry tested the API using servers with the dovecot/postfix Debian implementation and other Linux flavors. Customers have tested the API with a variety of Linux and Windows technology, including System.Net.Mail, CDOSYS (Collaborative Data Objects, Cdosys.dll), VB6, PHP, Java, and Sybase PowerBuilder.

Do users need to use ZSentry App (the web interface)?
No, not necessarily. The ZSentry API sends secure email that can be read and decrypted using the ZSentry App as well as leading Mail clients without any plug-in. This means that with the ZSentry API there is no web browser security and usability limitation for users, and users do not need to use the ZSentry App for reading, sending and saving secure messages. However, the ZSentry App can be used in a webmail environment.

How about Google Apps and Gmail?
Web mail services including Google Apps and Gmail can be set up to send HIPAA-compliant secure email using the ZSentry API directly, as a cloud Mail client with Single-Sign-On. This can be done by users, without an add-on or installation. Reading and saving secure email can also be done through Google Apps and Gmail,
using ZSentry App in the webmail environment or a Mail client.

How are Mail clients used?
Mail clients can be set up to send, read, and save HIPAA-compliant secure email using the ZSentry API directly, with Single-Sign-On. The user only sees the Mail client GUI for sending, reading and saving messages. This can be setup by users, without a plug-in or installation. A web browser is still used on the client side, but it is used transparently as a middleware and not as a GUI.

What clients are compatible?
The ZSentry API complies with IETF standards. Compatible clients include any major web browser, Outlook, Outlook Express, Windows Mail, Apple Mail, Entourage, Thunderbird, iPhone, Android, and iPad, on Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Linux, Mac OS X and iOS.

What applications can be used at the client side?
Clients can use several applications including webmail, email, IM, SMS, and file storage services.

Can I debug the SSL/SMTP flow?
Yes. This is a typical SSL/SMTP trace enabled by the API and which you can also capture in normal use to log delivery evidence for your service:
SMTP -> FROM SERVER: 250-PIPELINING 250-SIZE 20480000 250-VRFY 250-ETRN 250-
SMTP -> FROM SERVER:250 2.1.0 Ok
SMTP -> FROM SERVER:250 2.1.5 Ok
SMTP -> FROM SERVER:354 End data with .
SMTP -> FROM SERVER:250 2.0.0 Ok: queued as E519A5801F4

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