VeriSign To Showcase Interoperability of SSL Certificates and VeriSign(R)
Identity Protection with Microsoft Technologies During RSA Conference 2006
Keynote of Stratton Sclavos
SAN JOSE, Calif. - RSA 2006, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- VeriSign,
Inc., (Nasdaq: VRSN), the leading provider of intelligent infrastructure
services for Internet and telecommunications networks, today announced it is
strengthening online transaction security by working together with Microsoft
on mutual authentication solutions. The solutions take advantage of technology
from Microsoft, code-named "InfoCard," the Microsoft Internet Explorer 7
browser, as well as VeriSign Secured Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates and the
newly launched VeriSign(R) Identity Protection (VIP) to protect consumers and
Web site owners against phishing, pharming and other forms of online identity
theft. The complementary technologies allow both the destination site and the
consumer to easily and positively identify each other.
VeriSign will showcase these solutions at the RSA 2006 keynote address of
Stratton Sclavos, Chairman and CEO of VeriSign, taking place at 9:05am,
February 15, 2006, in the San Jose Civic Auditorium.
VeriSign is working with Microsoft on new solutions that provide what is
termed "mutual authentication" on the Internet. Mutual authentication requires
that both the destination site and the consumer positively identify each
other. Unlike other solutions for site authentication, this collaborative
approach cannot be phished or spoofed, and provides a more secure and
intuitive user experience.
"With the damage of malicious online activities continuing to rise, new
and creative technologies and approaches are needed to stem the tide," said
Nico Popp, vice president, Authentication Services, VeriSign Security
Services. "VeriSign is working on a solution that marries Microsoft technology
with our intelligent network infrastructure to create a solution to identity
theft and make the Internet more secure, more trusted and safer for all of
us."
To help end-users clearly differentiate between a legitimate and spoofed
Web site, Microsoft's IE7 browser and "InfoCard" technology will use
VeriSign's "Enhanced Validation" SSL certificates to provide clear and un-
spoofable visual feedback about the sites' authenticity. Only organizations
that pass VeriSign's rigorous authentication process will be issued "Enhanced
Validation" SSL Certificates for their Web sites. When a consumer visits such
a site, the IE7 address bar turns green and shows the name of the organization
owning the certificate and the identity of the Certificate Authority, such as
VeriSign, in the browser's interface.
Providers or financial institutions will be able to strongly identify a
user with the integration of Microsoft "InfoCard" technology with the VIP
network. This integration will form the next generation of solutions for
securely authenticating users, utilizing built-in Windows functionality that
allows consumers to link any type of strong authentication device to their
"InfoCard" and present it as an identity card to any VIP-enabled website.
"InfoCard" is a Microsoft technology that simplifies and improves the
safety of accessing resources and sharing personal information on the
Internet, and represents a key component of Microsoft's implementation of an
"identity metasystem" -- an open, extensible framework based on the Web
services WS-* Architecture that spans new and existing platforms and
technologies across the industry. With "InfoCard," consumers can download
these credentials from trusted identity providers such as their bank,
employer, government agency, or membership organization, or create their own
self-issued cards. Moreover, digital identity and related personal information
can be more securely stored and managed in a variety of ways, including via
the online identity security providers such as VeriSign, which offers a choice
of security and portable devices such as USB keychain devices, smart cards,
and mobile devices.
"'InfoCard' provides customers with the control and flexibility they need
to more safely access Internet-based resources," said Richard Turner, product
manager, Web Services Strategy at Microsoft. "This demonstration shows how
'InfoCard' can combine the collective strengths of our technology with service
partners' offerings to provide new and unique proactive fraud and identity
theft measures."
VIP is a modern approach to combating digital identity theft targeted at
both consumers and online services that enables the use of stronger
authentication across multiple Web sites by promoting a shared authentication
network approach. With VIP, the same authentication device will work across
any network member sites, leveraging a shared infrastructure and enabling
everyday devices in consumer hands to become authentication devices. For more
information on VIP, please go to: http://www.verisign.com/dm/vip
About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc., operates intelligent infrastructure services that enable
and protect billions of interactions every day across the world's voice and
data networks. 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
relationships with Microsoft, 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, 2004 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.
SOURCE VeriSign, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.verisign.com
CONTACT:
Brendan P. Lewis of VeriSign Media Relations,
+1-650-426-4470 or brlewis@verisign.com; or Tom McCallum of
VeriSign Investor Relations, +1-650-426-3744 or
tmccallum@verisign.com
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