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Press Release |
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VeriSign to Strengthen Security for Windows
Network Applications with VeriSign® Unified Authentication
VeriSign to Deliver Strong Authentication for Windows Log-On, Outlook
Web Access, Wi-Fi Networks and Remote Access on Windows Desktops
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – RSA Conference 2005 – February 14, 2005 – VeriSign, Inc.
(Nasdaq: VRSN), the leading provider of intelligent infrastructure services
for the Internet and telecommunications networks, today announced that
it is strengthening security for Microsoft Windows network applications
through integration with VeriSign Unified Authentication. This expansion
of the two companies’ strategic relationship will enable businesses
to implement strong authentication within the Windows network environment,
making user access more secure for Windows log-on, Outlook Web access,
Wi-Fi networks and remote access for Windows desktops.
The continued growth of malicious attacks on corporate
networks demands more stringent security mechanisms for Windows 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 the 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 essential component
for protecting against the various forms of security attacks prevalent
today.
“Security is an absolute priority at Microsoft, and
working with premier IT security vendors like VeriSign is central to
our efforts to make the Windows environment the most secure on the planet,”
said Mike Nash, vice president, Security Business and Technology Unit,
Microsoft Corporation. “Through the integration of VeriSign Unified
Authentication and Windows, we are addressing our mutual customers’
need for a first-rate strong authentication solution that is also affordable
and flexible.”
The integration with VeriSign Unified Authentication
specifically involves the following Windows network applications:
- Windows Log-On: VeriSign Unified Authentication enables secure
Windows log-on through two mechanisms: smartcard Logon (X.509 Certificates)
and One Time Password (OTP). The OTP solution is unique, because it
enables users to securely log on to their Windows desktop inside or
outside their corporate network –password caching or smartcard readers
are not required. Leveraging the unique multi-purpose functionality
provided by the VeriSign tokens, users can authenticate their digital
identities either by using the token to generate an OTP or by plugging
the token into a USB port, thus removing the need for passwords
- Outlook Web Access: Integration of VeriSign Unified Authentication
and the Outlook Web-based client application enables remote users to
access enterprise email over a convenient Web interface. The clientless
OTP solution provided by VeriSign Unified Authentication allows users
to authenticate their identities and securely access email accounts
from outside their corporate firewall, without sacrificing the clientless
email functionality that Microsoft Outlook Web Access offers to small
and large enterprises users
- Wi-Fi Networks: VeriSign Unified Authentication is integrated
with the Microsoft 802.1X client, increasing Windows Wi-Fi networks
security and protecting against malicious users and devices
- Remote Access for Windows Desktop: Through an additional integration
of VeriSign Unified Authentication and Citrix Metaframe, users can access
remote corporate resources from home or any external network via their
Windows desktop, with the higher degree of security afforded by strong
authentication
Beyond secure Windows network application access,
VeriSign Unified Authentication delivers more value for less cost and
complexity than traditional strong authentication offerings. The solution
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. VeriSign Unified Authentication is offered in two deployment
options – in-the-cloud or on-premise, reducing the complexity of two-factor
security and scalability through User self-service applications. VeriSign
Unified Authentication also includes the VeriSign 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 high costs 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 VeriSign Unified
Authentication 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
solutions presented.”
About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN) operates intelligent infrastructure
services that enable businesses and individuals to find, connect, secure,
and transact across today’s complex global networks. Additional news
and information about the company is available at http://www.verisign.com/.
For more information, contact:
VeriSign Media Relations: Brendan Lewis, brlewis@verisign.com,
650-426-4470
VeriSign Investor Relations: Tom McCallum, tmccallum@verisign.com,
650-426-3744
# # #
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.
All product and company names herein may be trademarks
of their respective owners
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