Alternative Technology, Envoy to offer Gemalto's Web-based authentication device administration
Security provider Gemalto’s on-demand Device Administration Service, is getting a boost from two companies that that aim to make it easier for small and mid-size companies to secure their networks.
Alternative Technology and Envoy Data announced at the RSA Conference in San Francisco that they’ll be incorporating Gemalto’s Device Administration Service (DAS) into their offerings. Alternative Technology is a distributor of products and services targeted at the thin-client/server-based computing and wireless markets. Envoy Data is a smart card and PCMCIA technical distributor to the government, military, financial, medical and aerospace sectors.
The subscription-based DAS is an online service for issuing and administering strong authentication devices. Following the software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, DAS eliminates the need to purchase a server or software.
“Many organizations want to replace passwords with device-based authentication, but implementation cost and complexity can be a barrier,” said John Stubbs, vice president of business development, Alternative Technology. “This new on-demand admin system solves those problems.”
“By putting these administrative functions in the hands of users and channel partners, we have simplified the provisioning process for ordering and issuing strong authentication devices,” added Francois Lasnier, vice president and general manager, security, for Gemalto North America. “DAS will appeal to organizations that do not want to invest in a complex in-house device management solution.”
Gemalto’s innovation enables IT administrators to use a Web browser interface to issue and perform day-to-day management operations on any Gemalto .NET device in the Protiva range, including the new Smart Enterprise Guardian. DAS also includes an end-user portal with self-service capabilities, making it easier for users to update or reset PIN codes themselves, or to place digital certificates on their Gemalto .NET smart cards or USB tokens.
Once DAS is operational, Gemalto .NET devices can be used to secure network access and identities. An on-board computer and software act as a “second factor” required to access information and applications, protecting passwords. The cards and secure USB dongles can also be used to encrypt email, or digitally sign emails or electronic documents.
The DAS service is compatible with Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox Web browsers and runs on Windows 2000, XP and Vista systems.
“Demand for smart card security clearly exists (for small and medium sized businesses) but until now the available card management solutions were overkill,” said Jeff Ciraulo, Envoy’s vice president of marketing. “Gemalto solved the problem by introducing a subscription-based solution that gives SMBs everything they need.” ![[end]](/resources/bullet/digitalidnews-4.gif)