Pro 3.0 Uses Fingerprint Authentication to Make Enterprise Security Simple
to Achieve, Convenient to Use
WASHINGTON, FOSE, March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- DigitalPersona(R) Inc., the
leading provider of fingerprint authentication solutions for enterprise and
mainstream computing, today announced Pro(R) 3.0, a Total Password Automation
solution that eliminates the costs, administrative burdens and security risks
associated with traditional password based authentication. By taking passwords
out of the hands of users, security administrators can dramatically simplify
authentication, improve corporate security and lower help desk costs.
[NOTE: DigitalPersona will be making this announcement at a press
conference, located in the FOSE pressroom today at 3 p.m. The company will
also be announcing their first Pro 3.0 customer, GTSI. For more details about
the GTSI implementation, see the DigitalPersona/GTSI press release, titled
"GTSI Selects DigitalPersona Pro 3.0 Total Password Automation for
Enterprise-wide Deployment."]
"Most corporations rely heavily on passwords to control network and
application access, yet passwords remain the weakest link in the security
chain," said Fabio Righi, president and CEO of DigitalPersona. "Fingerprint
authentication has come of age, both in terms of cost and performance, to help
solve the password problem. With DigitalPersona Pro 3.0 we have created a
Total Password Automation solution that revolutionizes and simplifies
authentication. The use of biometrics is no longer confined to James Bond
movies."
The Password Headache
Passwords create highly uneven security because users -- not IT staff --
ultimately control password practices. Organizations attempt to lower this
risk by managing passwords with rigid policies and password rules. Ironically,
the more strict the password policy, the more difficult it is for users to
comply. They often respond by writing passwords down or sharing them, which
undermines their value as a security method. And for the good Samaritans who
don't write them down, remembering a long list of frequently changing
passwords is a challenge which often results in frequent calls to the IT help
desk for password re-sets.
The Total Password Automation Approach
Automating password management with Pro 3.0 enables users to sign in to
virtually any application with just the touch of a finger, dramatically
increasing enterprise security. Because users no longer need to enter
passwords to log-in, the pains and vulnerabilities of lost, forgotten, shared,
written down and expired passwords are eliminated. Security is strengthened by
combining fingerprint authentication and password automation software into a
single, integrated solution.
Pro 3.0 also lowers help-desk costs for enterprises by taking passwords
out of the hands and minds of end-users. They can't forget their finger the
way they used to forget their passwords. Calls to the help-desk for password
assistance, which have been estimated to cost large businesses $150 - $300 per
year, are virtually eliminated.
Unlike many other security solutions, implementing DigitalPersona Pro 3.0
requires no professional services or re-writing of applications. As a result,
installation costs are minimal, accelerating payback. DigitalPersona estimates
that enterprises who buy Pro 3.0 experience a return on their investment in as
little as 6 months.
In addition to making the security easier to manage for administrators,
end-users are also delighted to be unburdened from the responsibility and
tedium of password management. Pro 3.0 might be the only security solution on
the planet that makes life better for these two historically warring factions.
New Features of Pro 3.0
Each DigitalPersona Pro 3.0 fingerprint security system ships with a sleek
fingerprint scanner and workstation software. Server software is recommended
for enterprises implementing more than 100 Pro 3.0 systems. Key new features
of Pro 3.0 software include:
One Touch SignOn: A new password management application that makes it
possible for end-users to log-on to virtually any network or application with
a touch on the fingerprint reader, thus eliminating their need to create,
update and remember passwords for all their network and application log-ons.
One Touch SignOn Administrator Tool: A tool that allows administrators to
easily create the above mentioned screen templates, configuring the system to
automatically manage passwords for all the users of an application according
to their policies. GPO's in Active Directory allow these templates to be
easily distributed.
Password Change Management: As each password expires, Pro 3.0
automatically remembers the current password and then creates and enters a new
one. This means that approved users don't need to know their old password to
enter a new one.
Automatic Password Randomization: IT administrators now have the option
to control password generation when an old password expires. This feature
offers unprecedented security by replacing existing passwords with new,
secret, randomized passwords. End-users are no longer involved in password
selection or creation.
Pricing and Availability
DigitalPersona Pro 3.0 fingerprint security system is available now and
retails for $149 per desktop. This includes the fingerprint reader and client
software. For enterprises needing the server component, the individual desktop
price is $199. Volume discounts may apply.
Members of the press interested in an evaluation copy may contact Yvette
Lorenz-Machlan at 650-762-2827 or ymachlan@arpartners.com.
About DigitalPersona
DigitalPersona is the leading provider of fingerprint recognition systems
for enterprise and mainstream computing. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in
Redwood City, Calif., DigitalPersona designs, manufactures and sells
end-to-end solutions for the enterprise, developer and consumer/OEM markets.
DigitalPersona has strategic relationships with market-making manufacturers
and re-sellers including Intel(R) Corporation, Dell(R) Inc., Gateway(R),
GTSI(R) Corp., Chicony Electronics Co., and Darfon Electronics Corp.
DigitalPersona(R) Pro, the company's flagship password automation solution for
enterprise authentication, is used by leading organizations such as The U.S.
Department of Defense, Cargill(R), Telmex(R), The United Bankers' Bank and
Sutter Health/CPMC. Further information is available at
http://www.digitalpersona.com/ .
NOTE: DigitalPersona and DigitalPersona U.are.U, are registered
trademarks of DigitalPersona, Inc., in the United States and other countries.
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States
and other countries. All other trademarks referred to herein are the property
of their respective owners.
SOURCE DigitalPersona Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.digitalpersona.com
CONTACT:
Yvette Lorenz-Machlan of A&R Partners,
+1-650-762-2827, or ylorenz-machlan@arpartners.com, for
DigitalPersona; or Harvey Bondar of DigitalPersona,
+1-650-568-2344, or harveyb@digitalpersona.com
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