Authentication Solution Helps The Disabled Securely Access Computers At Work And Elsewhere

Woking, Surrey: 12th October 04 - With the Disability Discrimination Act coming into force in October 2004, Wick Hill announces the UK launch of a VASCO authentication solution, which helps visually and physically challenged users. The product allows these groups to more easily access secure web and computer systems which require secure token based authentication.

VASCO's Digipass 300 Comfort is a PIN code protected, token-based authentication solution where the size and format of the token display and keypad are designed to assist visually and physically challenged users. The tokens would typically be used to access computer networks and web sites in areas such as teleworking, remote access, wireless, enterprise, banking systems, local government secure services, and education. They can be used to secure internal as well as external access.

The product can be used in the workplace where authentication is required to get onto computer systems, or away from the workplace by travelling or home-based workers needing to access office systems. It's also suitable for e-business applications such as e-banking, where customers might be required to use authentication tokens to log on and perform online transactions.

Ian Kilpatrick, chairman Wick Hill Group, commented: "Many businesses are moving to secure token-based access to computer networks and this solution allows them to give equal access to all their staff. It's also a boon for pressurised IT and HR departments rushing for compliance. Where other token-based security systems are already in use, the VASCO solution can be used alongside, so equal access can be quickly given to all staff."

Case Study
In Sweden, which has the highest level of Internet penetration in the world, the Digipass 300 Comfort has been successfully used by Swedbank/FöreningsSparbanken, as part of its overall web site redesign to make its Internet banking systems more user friendly for visually impaired and disabled customers. Ronny Forsberg of Swedbank said: “We feel that every citizen should be able to manage his/her own banking affairs. Our e-banking application, including VASCO’s Digipass 300 Comfort, allows physically and visually challenged customers to have full Internet access to their bank accounts regardless of their physical limitations.

“Digipass 300 Comfort suits me fine,” said Andre Lindberg, a Swedbank account holder using Digipass 300 Comfort. “The buttons are clear and very easy to use. Additionally, I appreciate that the number of times buttons have to be used is limited, which enhances the user-friendliness.” Full case study available.

NOTES FOR EDITORS
Compliance
A study by LB Icon says that over 80 per cent of FTSE 100 web sites do not comply with the World Wide Web Consortium's recommendations on accessibility for disabled users. Many see this as the standard for compliance with UK and international accessibility laws.

Authentication tokens
Tokens are increasingly being used in enterprises and local/central government to protect computer systems and sensitive information. Users of VASCO authentication systems users get something they have and something they know. They have the VASCO Digipass token, and they know their VASCO PIN number. Together with the use of one time passwords, this creates a uniquely secure combination.

Authentication tokens provide a secure method of ensuring that both internal users and remote users accessing computerised business systems are who they say they are. They are becoming increasingly popular, because of the growth in the number of users wanting access to computer systems and the need for identity management. This growth is due to increased remote working, increased customer and supplier access to systems, the use of laptops, PDAs etc, and the surge in the use of technologies such as wireless.

Gartner's 2003 report 'The identification and authentication spectrum', says that: "Classic hardware or software tokens combined with personal identification numbers provide simple, unique, and strong network access control."

Internal risk
Internal security is a very real problem. According to the Computer Security Institute's Eighth Annual CSI/FBI Computer Crime and Security Survey for 2003, 45% of respondents said they had had experienced unauthorised access by insiders in the previous 12 months. 80% reported insider abuse of net access, and 81% said they saw disgruntled employees as a likely source of attack.

Internally, single passwords are very risky, because of the tendency of staff to write them down, reveal them when asked, or stick them on computers. The range of potential security issues raised by unauthorised employee access to systems is wide.

According to the DTI Information Security Breaches Survey 2004, the most common security breach relating to identity management involved staff gaining unauthorised access to information. The survey found that companies affected reported roughly one incident per month.. Confidentiality breaches caused major disruption over a long period, while remedying the situation and investigating it involved significant staff time (10-20 man-days on average). These breaches also led to significant cash expenditure on legal fees, investigation costs, etc.

About VASCO
VASCO designs, develops, markets and supports patented “Identity Authentication” products for e-business and e-commerce. VASCO’s Identity Authentication software is delivered via its Digipass security products, small “calculator” hardware devices carried by an end user, or in a software format on mobile phones, other portable devices, and PCs. VASCO’s time-based system generates a “one-time” password that changes with every use, and is virtually impossible to hack, or break. With 10 million Digipass sold and shipped, VASCO has established itself as a world-leader for strong Identity Authentication with 200 international financial institutions, approximately 1000 blue-chip corporations, and governments representing more than 60 countries.

About Wick Hill
Established in 1976, VAD (value added distributor) Wick Hill specialises in secure infrastructure solutions for e-business. The company's portfolio covers security, performance, access, services and management. Wick Hill sources and delivers best-of-breed, easy-to-use solutions through its channel partners, providing customer support, implementation, training and technical services.

For further press information, please contact Annabelle Brown on 8, 1, e-mail . For reader queries please contact Wick Hill on 01483 227600, e-mail , web www.wickhill.com