CU*Answers Network Services, a West Michigan-based technology solutions provider, today announced it has launched CU*BASE® GOLD online session encryption which protects member data end-to-end from the credit union workstation all the way to the host computer at CU*Answers. This protection is layered on top of AES network encryption already in place on MPLS circuits between CU*Answers and online credit union branch offices.

The benefit of session encryption is protection of sensitive data as it traverses the credit union’s own network. Session encryption uses industry-standard SSL technology similar to that used to protect It’s Me 247 online banking sessions over the Internet.

“This is an extra layer of security for sensitive data traveling over internal credit union networks. We are seeing an increase in interest in this technology from some auditors and those looking for more protection against internal threats to credit unions,” says David Wordhouse, VP Network Technologies.

Additionally, Network Services announced that as of 5/1/2013, all new workstations ordered through the firm with preconfigured CU*BASE GOLD installations would have encryption enabled by default.

Session encryption is available at no charge though it does have some prerequisites including Windows 7. CU*Answers has published additional information including self-help configuration instructions online. More information is available at encryption.cuanswers.com.