RSA and Verisign Partner for Cloud-Based Offering

RSA and VeriSign are working together to provide organizations with the mutual benefit of an expanded VeriSign Identity Protection (VIP) Service through the availability of RSA SecurID two-factor authentication technology for more choice in one-time password (OTP) authentication. VIP is a managed, shared authentication solution that provides its users with a single one-time password (OTP) authentication device to securely access multiple Web sites.

Organizations in search of strong authentication solutions will benefit from being able to use VIP in combination with RSA SecurID hardware tokens. RSA and VeriSign, both of whom were recently rated Best-in-Class for Multi-Channel Authentication Technology, are teaming up to address the market segment for managed, shared authentication services, offering organizations the convenience of a single platform.

The technical and sales partnership signals a new chapter in the longstanding relationship between RSA and VeriSign. Twenty-five years ago, RSA pioneered two-factor authentication and encryption and in 1995, VeriSign was founded as a separate entity leveraging RSA technology to develop and provide digital identities through a managed services model.

"RSA and VeriSign have a long history of complementary and innovative security solutions and standards, such as SSL, that enabled internet usage and growth," said Jim Bidzos, Executive Chairman and Founder, VeriSign. "We have again joined forces to benefit users by providing managed, shared two-factor authentication services on a single platform. No one is better equipped to deliver comprehensive, best-in-class authentication solutions than RSA and VeriSign," he added.

"Inventive collaboration between key industry leaders is critical to delivering higher value to customers and responding to the ever-changing threat environment," said Art Coviello, Executive Vice President of EMC Corp. and President of RSA. Elaborating on the collaboration he said, "Together with VeriSign, we've worked hard over the decades to help ensure online transactions are safe, secure and trustworthy. With more than 40 million users of RSA SecurID worldwide, we're thrilled at the opportunity to serve customers through the VIP Network."

VeriSign plans to complete the integration of the RSA SecurID Authentication Engine into the VIP Service by the end of December 2009, which will enable VIP customers to use RSA SecurID hardware authenticators. At that time, VeriSign will also resell RSA SecurID hardware tokens to VIP prospects and customers, and RSA will likewise resell the VIP Service to its prospects and customers.

As part of the agreement, the companies will work to transfer all existing RSA GoID customers to the VIP Service by the end of Q2 2010. RSA will work closely with all existing RSA GoID customers for a smooth, uninterrupted transition to the VIP Service. VeriSign is committed to delivering the highest standards of customer care and technical innovation that RSA GoID customers expect today.

» posted by ITworld staff

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