VeriSign to Deliver Strong Authentication for Windows Log-on, Outlook Web
Access, Wi-Fi Networks and Remote Access on Windows-Based Desktops
SAN FRANCISCO, RSA Conference 2005, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), a leading provider of intelligent
infrastructure services for the Internet and telecommunications networks today
announced that it is helping enhance security for Microsoft Windows network
applications through integration with VeriSign Unified Authentication. This
integration will help enable businesses to implement strong authentication
within the Windows network environment, helping make user access more secure
for Windows log-on, Outlook Web Access, Wi-Fi networks, and remote access for
Windows-based desktops.
The continued growth of malicious attacks on corporate networks calls for
stringent security mechanisms for computing environments. Through tight
integration with VeriSign Unified Authentication, a strong authentication
platform consisting of multi-purpose authentication tokens combined with
highly flexible software and services, VeriSign is delivering added security
inherent to two-factor authentication to Windows network applications. Strong
authentication, which requires users to possess a second, physical factor such
as a token or smartcard in addition to a password, is widely recognized as an
important component in helping protect against the various forms of security
attacks prevalent today.
The integration with VeriSign Unified Authentication (UA) specifically
involves the following Windows network applications:
* Windows Log-on: Unified Authentication helps enable secure Windows log-
on through two mechanisms: smartcard Logon (X.509 Certificates) and One Time
Password (OTP). The OTP solution is unique because it helps enable users to
securely log onto their Windows desktop inside or outside their corporate
network - no password caching or smartcard reader is required. Leveraging the
unique multi-purpose functionality provided by the VeriSign UA tokens, users
can strongly authenticate either by generating and using an OTP or by using
the smartcard option and plugging into a USB port, thus removing the need for
passwords.
* Outlook Web Access: Integration of UA and the Outlook Web-based client
application enables remote employees and road warriors to access their email
with the convenience of a Web interface. UA's clientless One Time Password
solution helps users to authenticate and securely access their email accounts
from outside their corporate firewall, without sacrificing the clientless
email experience that Microsoft Outlook Web Access offers to small and large
enterprise users.
* Wi-Fi Networks: Unified Authentication is integrated with Microsoft's
802.1X client, helping to increase Windows Wi-Fi network security and
protecting against malicious rogue users and devices.
* Remote Access for Windows Desktop: Through an additional integration of
UA and Citrix Metaframe, users can access remote corporate resources from home
or any external network via their Windows-based desktop with the higher degree
of security afforded by strong authentication.
Beyond helping secure Windows network application access, VeriSign Unified
Authentication helps deliver more value at less cost and complexity across the
board for enterprises than traditional strong authentication offerings. UA
consists of an open-standards based, integrated platform for provisioning and
managing all types of two-factor authentication credentials. It reduces the
cost of deployment and future-proofs customers against additional expenses by
leveraging an enterprise's existing directory and application infrastructure
as well as offering two deployment options - in the cloud or in-premise. It
reduces the complexity of two-factor security and scalability through User
self-service applications. UA also includes VeriSign's family of multi-purpose
authentication tokens which provide OTP, PKI and smartcard functionality.
Because the system is based on standards set forth by the Initiative for Open
AuTHentication (OATH), enterprises avoid the vendor lock-in and cost typical
of proprietary strong authentication systems, while ensuring device choice
from many OATH-compliant hardware vendors.
"VeriSign Unified Authentication simply blows away traditional strong
authentication offerings in terms of cost, functionality and flexibility,"
said Judy Lin, executive vice president and general manager, VeriSign Security
Services. "By bringing all of UA's advantages to the Windows environment,
businesses of all sizes can dramatically improve the security of their network
applications without the headaches and budget drain that old-fashioned strong
authentication dictated."
"Our customers tell us that they need advanced authentication solutions
for enterprise security scenarios that provide value and flexibility," said
Rich Kaplan, Corporate Vice President, Security Business and Technology Unit
at Microsoft Corp. "The integration of VeriSign Unified Authentication with
the Microsoft Windows platform will provide powerful options for customers in
protecting their critical computing infrastructures."
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 risk that VeriSign's announced strategic relationships, including the
relationship described herein, may not result in additional products,
services, 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.
NOTE: All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their
respective owners
SOURCE VeriSign, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.verisign.com
CONTACT:
media relations, Brendan Lewis,
+1-650-426-4470, or brlewis@verisign.com, or investor relations,
Tom McCallum, +1-650-426-3744, or tmccallum@verisign.com, both of
VeriSign
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