Partner Release - Thales
and Intercede Showcase the First Complete End-to-End Transaction
Security System at InfoSec
Thales today announced that it
will be joined by Intercede at InfoSec to showcase the SafeSign®
platform for end-to-end transaction security. Launched last September,
SafeSign from Thales e-Security is the world’s first security
architecture to allow all transactions to be managed and authenticated
from a single platform, regardless of transaction channel or PKI
trust scheme. To complete the vision of an end-to-end security
system from inception to authentication of the transaction, Thales
will be introducing the new SafeSign PSM (personal security module)
at the show on April 27th.
SafeSign is already embedded at
the heart of BACS’ new internet-based transaction system,
BACSTEL-IP. Since its official launch last autumn, SafeSign has
attracted enormous amounts of interest from banks and financial
institutions around the world and further customer announcements
are expected before the summer. Its success stems from the fact
that banks today have to contend with vast amounts of complexity
within their transaction systems. This complexity includes having
to authenticate customers from multiple channels and with multiple
identities. By authenticating and managing all identities from
a single platform, SafeSign not only provides ease of management
but also better customer service and reduced levels of fraud.
The final component of the SafeSign
family of products is the SafeSign PSM, which represents the next
generation of smart card tokens. More details about this product
will be released at InfoSec.
The other SafeSign components
are:
- SafeSign Authentication Server:
a multi-channel authentication platform that allows any transaction
from any channel – e.g. PC, telephone, mobile, interactive
television and other access points – to be authenticated
from one server.
- SafeSign Management Server: the
SafeSign Management Server, powered by edeficeTM from Intercede,
provides user and token management. This allows the management
of user identities; including creation, deletion and amendment
of all forms of identity be it smart card, token, biometrics
or PKI. The centralised key management function provides strong
security for the storage and use of cryptographic keys.
- SafeSign Crypto Module: a hardware
security module for secure storage and use of cryptographic
keys. This allows the use of standards already implemented
in the market such as Identrus, Public Key Infrastructure
(PKI) certificates from a number of suppliers, and a range
of personal tokens.
Paul Meadowcroft, Head of Transaction
Security at Thales e-Security, said: “Last year at InfoSec
we announced that we would be working with Intercede to deliver
a powerful, customisable end-to-end authentication platform. With
the forthcoming launch of the SafeSign PSM, we have now completed
this vision. The reaction from banks and financial institutions
has been extremely positive and we are looking forward to making
public our first customer announcements soon.”
Ends
About Thales
Thales is an international electronics and systems group, serving
defence, aerospace and security markets. The group employs 62,000
people worldwide and generated revenues of 10.6 billion in 2003.
Operating in three main markets covering e-security, card payment
and network security, Thales e-Security addresses the business,
government and finance industries’ need for cryptographic
security products and solutions. Over half of the world’s
banks, together with the majority of the busiest exchanges, currently
use Thales technology.
About Intercede
Intercede Group plc is a leading developer and supplier of smart
card and identity management software listed on the London Stock
Exchange (IGP LN) (IGP.L). The group’s edefice™ software
manages the secure registration, issuance and lifecycle of digital
identities for a wide range of uses. This requires the integration
of multiple technologies and products from many different vendors,
including smart cards, biometrics and digital certificates.
Intercede's customers cover a
range of industries and include Barclays Bank, COLT Telecom, Fujitsu,
Lloyds TSB, the NHS, Pink Roccade, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ubizen
and various US and UK government agencies and departments.
For more information, visit Intercede's
home page at http://www.intercedegroup.com/
, call +44 (0) 1455 558 111 or Email info@intercede.com
Press Contact:
Scott McLean, Hotwire PR, +44 (0) 207608 4643
scott.mclean@hotwirepr.com
Kenny McGilvary, Hotwire, +44
(0) 20 7608 4633
kenneth.mcgilvary@hotwirepr.com
