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VeriSign Introduces VeriSign(R) Unified Authentication; Integrated Offering Provides Enterprises With a Comprehensive Solution for Strong Authentication
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- VeriSign, Inc. , a leading provider of intelligent infrastructure services for the Internet and telecommunications networks, today announced the launch of VeriSign(R) Unified Authentication. This new solution, an extension of VeriSign Intelligence and Control(SM) Services, consists of a comprehensive software and services platform coupled with VeriSign's new family of multi-purpose authentication tokens that includes One Time Password (OTP), PKI, and smartcard functionality. VeriSign Unified Authentication integrates with an enterprise's existing IT infrastructure, including leading directory and application servers, to enable organizations to address all strong authentication needs with a single solution.
Experts have long recognized the need for strong forms of authentication for critical applications. Strong authentication, which requires users to possess a second, physical factor in addition to a password, is an essential component in protecting against the various forms of security attacks prevalent today. In recent years, the rise in malicious attacks, combined with growth of mobile computing and the increasing openness of most corporate networks have increased the need for strong authentication for remote access, user log-in, and single sign-on. Most existing two-factor technologies, however, have proven too expensive and inflexible for broad-based deployment. This constraint has become especially apparent for organizations who wish not only to use strong authentication for their employee base, but to also protect customers from account compromise and phishing attacks.
VeriSign Unified Authentication addresses these problems in three fundamental ways. First, it can provide up to 40% lower total cost of ownership than existing two factor solutions by leveraging high volume USB and SIM chip technologies in the token architecture. In addition, by integrating directly into the enterprise's existing directory and Radius server infrastructure, the solution eliminates the need for new software and hardware associated with separate provisioning systems, user profile stores, and application integration agents. The multi-purpose authentication token is also far more flexible than other tokens, working in both plugged mode (via a USB port) and unplugged mode (via One Time Passwords displayed on its LCD.) This hybrid token can be used for Windows log-on; secure access to corporate networks using WLAN or SSL and IPSec VPNs; Web applications; and file and email encryption. Lastly, by providing a single, integrated, standards-based platform, VeriSign Unified Authentication can serve as the integration point for a wide range of additional authentication mechanisms, allowing an organization to leverage investments in OTP, smartcards, PKI, and other authentication technologies.
"VeriSign Unified Authentication finally provides enterprises with the choice and freedom to deploy strong authentication that fits their existing infrastructure and budget," said Judy Lin, executive vice president and general manager, VeriSign Security Services. "Unified Authentication is an all-in-one solution that allows larger enterprises to meet all of their authentication needs with a multi-purpose token and single platform that integrates seamlessly with their existing infrastructure."
According to Allan Carey, program manager for Security and Business Continuity Services at IDC, "Many organizations have abstained from deploying such internal two-factor authentication solutions because of the significant capital and operational expenditures to deploy, manage, and maintain strong authentication services. Adoption of identity management solutions by enterprises will serve as a solid foundation for which VeriSign can leverage and layer its Unified Authentication solution upon. Customers benefit from enhanced security with flexible and adaptable service delivery options to meet their business requirements."
"As a multi-faceted health sciences institution, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) maintains patient information and research data that require strict protection and confidentiality. Computer access must also be pervasive for a community of staff, faculty and students who recognize the need for security, but who insist on it being minimally intrusive, and an asset rather than a liability to productivity," said Cliff Green, Senior Technologist at UMDNJ. "We needed an approach to authentication that combined ease-of-use and portability with rock-solid protection. By participating in the VeriSign Unified Authentication Beta program, UMDNJ was able to demonstrate a two-factor authentication on our network quickly and easily, with minimal installation of additional software or hardware."
VeriSign Unified Authentication is the first offering based on the OATH architecture framework. OATH is the Initiative for Open Authentication, which VeriSign and several industry partners announced at the 2004 RSA Conference. The group's mission is to drive the ubiquity of strong authentication across all networks and devices. By advocating the proliferation of a common, cost effective blueprint, OATH seeks to ensure that security credentials can be provisioned and verified by a wide variety of industry-leading software and hardware solutions. For more information on OATH, visit http://www.openauthentication.org/.
Unified Authentication will be available starting September 30, 2004. For More information, see http://www.verisign.com/products-services/security- services/pki/unified-authentication.html .
About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. delivers intelligent infrastructure services that make the Internet and telecommunications networks more reliable and secure. Every day VeriSign helps thousands of businesses and millions of consumers conduct commerce and communications with confidence. Additional news and information about the company is available at http://www.verisign.com/.
Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause VeriSign's actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainty of future revenue and profitability and potential fluctuations in quarterly operating results due to such factors as the inability of VeriSign to successfully develop and market new products and services and customer acceptance of any new products or services, including VeriSign's Unified Authentication; the possibility that VeriSign's announced new services may not result in additional customers, profits or revenues; and increased competition and pricing pressures. More information about potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial results is included in VeriSign's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. VeriSign undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.
VeriSign, Inc.
CONTACT: media, Brendan P. Lewis, +1-650-426-4470, orbrlewis@verisign.com, or investors, Tom McCallum, +1-650-426-3744, ortmccallum@verisign.com, both of VeriSign
Web site: http://www.openauthentication.org/
Web site: http://www.verisign.com/
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