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VeriSign to Strengthen Security for Windows Network Applications
VeriSign, Inc., provider of intelligent infrastructure services for the Internet and telecommunications networks, 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 provides a significant edge over 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." 15.02.2005, VeriSign, Inc.
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