With two-factor authentication gaining traction among major online businesses and consumers worldwide, a new "test drive" program announced today at the 2009 RSA Conference will show developers how rapidly they can integrate strong authentication into applications written for mobile devices.
VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN), the trusted provider of Internet infrastructure services for the networked world, today launched the VeriSign® Identity Protection (VIP) Mobile Developer Test Drive Program. The program enables mobile application developers to explore how easily and quickly they can provide users with an extra layer security that goes beyond standard secure log-ins.
Aimed at developers of J2ME and iPhone applications, the VIP Mobile Developer Program builds on the success of a similar program launched at last year's RSA Conference. By leveraging the VIP Mobile SDK, developers can create a pilot or demonstration version to transform mobile devices into two-factor authentication credentials capable of generating a one-time password (OTP) with every sign-on. The pilot allows developers to "kick the tires" and test the functionality of their mobile applications to see how easy it is to implement and use.
Credentials developed with the SDK will allow users to authenticate themselves at any VIP Network member site, including eBay, PayPal and more than 45 others that are part of the VIP Network.
"By launching this test drive program, we're encouraging the innovative mobile developer community to discover the fast and simple way to build two-factor authentication into any J2ME or iPhone application," said Kerry Loftus, vice president of Consumer Authentication Solutions at VeriSign. "With the wide spread growth of applications for the iPhone and other mobile devices, the ability to integrate one-time passwords into customized applications will be a major benefit to companies seeking to extend this convenient extra layer of security to their customers."
Starting today, developers can download the VIP Mobile SDK, as well as sample code and documents, after completing a simple click-through evaluation agreement. The tools cover such vital areas as application design, provisioning and validation. Pilot participants can work with the SDK to test how the VIP Authentication Service integrates and operates with their mobile applications easily and can even test interoperability with other pilot program participants. Developers can download VIP Mobile Developer Test Drive Package at https://vipdeveloper.verisign.com
By implementing two-factor authentication through VeriSign's Security-as-a-Service model, enterprises virtually eliminate the costly IT infrastructure investments once required to deploy proprietary authentication systems. VeriSign's open standards-based Security-as-a-Service solution also speeds time to market and drives down per user costs. And with mobile phones serving as free VIP credentials, enterprises can scale their potential user base at negligible per-user costs.
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.
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, 2008 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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