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Press Release |
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VeriSign Opens APIs to Spotlight Simplicity of Deploying Two-Factor Authentication
New Program Gives Developers Chance to Test Drive VeriSign(R) Identity
Protection (VIP)
LONDON--(7th April 2008) - With the world's IT security experts
convening here this week to evaluate the latest weapons against identity
theft, a new pilot program will show how easy it is to deploy a layer
of protection that goes beyond standard secure log-ins.
VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN),
the trusted provider of Internet infrastructure services for the networked
world, today unveiled the VeriSign Identity Protection (VIP) Test Drive
for Developers program. The new program is aimed at developers and enterprise
IT organisations interested in integrating their online applications
with two-factor authentication.
The VIP Test Drive for Developers program provides
access to VIP APIs -- the same APIs used in real-world deployments --
for use in a pilot environment. By making the API to the VIP Authentication
Service available through a free download, developers can quickly evaluate
how easy it is to enable their own applications for two factor authentication
using the VIP Authentication Service.
The VIP Authentication Service is a two-factor authentication
service fully hosted by VeriSign. It is based on open standards, such
as OATH, and enables a wide choice of credential form factors. Online
business giants such as eBay and PayPal rely on the VIP Authentication
Service to build an additional layer of authentication into online transactions.
The VIP Authentication Service uses a special security credential that
provides Internet users with a unique six digit security code for every
transaction. During an online transaction, this security code is entered
into a user interface with other information (such as user name and
password), achieving two-factor authentication.
The VIP Authentication Service is deployed on a trusted
and shared network, which allows consumers to use a single security
device to authenticate themselves across any VIP-enabled Web site. This
makes it more convenient for end users to adopt two-factor authentication.
While other stand-alone, two factor authentication solutions incur high
initial costs and high infrastructure maintenance fees, VIP is easy
and less costly for companies to implement and maintain. By leveraging
a shared security and logistics infrastructure, VIP also makes it simpler
and more cost-effective for companies with extensive online presence
to implement stronger authentication.
"Two-factor authentication is rapidly gaining
momentum as a powerful added protection to thwart identity thieves and
online fraud," said Kerry Loftus, vice president of consumer authentication
at VeriSign. "The most popular question IT departments ask about
VIP is, 'Can it really be that simple to deploy two-factor authentication?'
As the VIP Test Drive for Developers program will show, the answer to
that question is yes."
"The VIP Test Drive for Developers program should
further strengthen VeriSign's position in consumer authentication, a
market that is poised to take off this year," said Sally Hudson,
IDC's research director of security products and services. "VeriSign's
strengths include its trusted brand name for online security and its
track record in operating successfully in a scaleable Internet-driven
networking environment. These factors are extremely important in the
growing consumer market, which will increasingly demand stronger authentication
and seamless connectivity between online sites. Organisations that maintain
online channels for consumers can benefit from the ease of joining the
network, which has potential to lower costs while increasing online
revenue streams. The VIP Test Drive for Developers program will serve
to highlight the ease of integrating consumer authentication with online
applications."
Developers or enterprise IT personnel interested in
participating in the VIP pilot program can download VIP Services APIs,
which are now available at http://vipdeveloper.verisign.com.
Pilot participants can work with the APIs to test how VIP integrates
and operates with their transaction processing systems and online applications,
and can even test interoperability with other pilot program participants.
VeriSign supports a wide range of authentication credentials,
including stand-alone tokens such as the PayPal Security Key, software
tokens for mobile phones, and a credit card size form factor via Innovative
Card Technologies' DisplayCard. In addition, VeriSign supports an Internet
Explorer browser plug-in that enables consumers to access VIP credentials
from their desktop.
Today's announcement comes on the heels of last week's
launch of the VeriSign Identity Protection Quick Start program, an initiative
designed to accelerate adoption of two-factor authentication by emphasising
the consumer convenience of a shared authentication network such as
the VIP Network. Through the program, which runs through Sept. 30, VeriSign
will provide up to 5,000 free credentials to each new enterprise that
joins the VIP Network. For more information about the Quick Start Program,
please call 650-426-5310 or go to www.verisign.com/quickstart
About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN)
is the trusted provider of Internet infrastructure services for the
networked world. Billions of times each day, VeriSign helps companies
and consumers all over the world engage in communications and commerce
with confidence. Additional news and information about the company is
available at 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 Identity
Protection Services, 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, 2007 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.
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