Arcot makes its WebFort two-factor authentication solution easier to use and cost effective enough for mass deployment

IT managers no longer need to worry about calls to the helpdesk for deployment of strong authentication

Reading, UK -- August 16, 2007 — Arcot Systems, a leading provider of secure e-payment and authentication solutions, has updated its software-based two-factor authentication system, WebFort, with a Flash-based client in which no user interaction is required. As a result, WebFort will be easier to use yet will still provide a strong level of security for the large enterprises in financial services, healthcare and other industries that face increasing regulatory pressure to protect and verify end-users' identities. WebFort will take advantage of Adobe^® Flash^® to give unprecedented simplicity to PKI by addressing the challenge IT departments face of how to roll out authentication technology to millions of users without changing users' behaviour or involving users in software deployment.

Users log in to the network or the web site as they always have with their user name and password, but behind the scenes the highest levels of security protect them. Since Adobe Flash is already installed on over 97% of Internet connected desktops around the world, the new WebFort solution makes two-factor authentication more convenient and cost effective than other PKI-based authentication solutions. As a result, mass deployment of strong authentication is a convenient reality for the first time.

"Businesses want better online security, but they don't want the risk of changing customer behaviour," said Jonathan Gill, Managing Director at Arcot UK. "We've solved that problem by using Adobe Flash to make strong online authentication invisible."

The ArcotID Flash client combines its own security technology, including its patented Cryptographic Camouflage for protecting information in software, with Internet standards like Secure Flash and SSL to automatically prevent man-in-the-middle, phishing and other threats that can lead to identity fraud. The result is two-factor authentication strong enough to satisfy security sensitive enterprises and comply with privacy and identity regulations.

ArcotID and the WebFort system enable online user identification and authentication, digital signing, and secure eStatement delivery. Since WebFort integrates with existing Identity Management/Single Sign On platforms, companies can quickly and easily upgrade security for employees, vendors, contractors or customers. Finally, the software form factor means that WebFort is cost effective to purchase, deploy, and manage, giving WebFort the lowest total cost of ownership of any strong authentication solution.

"It is important that our authentication solution can provide high levels of security at the same time as being easy to use," said Keith Cordon, Information Security and Compliance Manager at Boots. "If it's not easy to use this results in unforeseen costs through support calls to our helpdesk and user frustration. Arcot continues to innovate in making authentication that's strong and simple."