Smart
cards can be expensive and difficult to deploy and manage.
They require the purchase of smart cards and smart card
readers. The readers and cards must then be deployed
throughout the organization, which means someone going
to each machine, installing the necessary hardware and
software, training users, and managing the system.
This can be an expensive, time
consuming project. And while smart cards can also be
flexible enough to enable access to buildings and some
PKI-related activity, they have a limited range of use.
Authenex®
solves this problem with an extremely flexible, cost-effective
alternative to Smart Cards: USB A-Key®
tokens with ACert™
software. This combination is a smart alternative
to smart cards for PKI-related activities, including
Windows Smart Card Logon, as
well as Challenge/Response and One-time Password two
factor authentication, secure flash storage, and secure
Web credential storage and secure Web logon .
USB A-Key®
tokens use the same PC functionality that Smart
Cards do to enable Windows domain network log on. However,
because USB A-Key®
tokens do not require card readers or the added
time and effort to deploy them and train users, they
ensure a quicker deployment and return on investment.
ACert™
software enables A-Key®
token users to take up to six (6) digital certificates
and key pairs anywhere and use them for PKI-related
activities, such as Windows Smart Card Logon, digitally
signed and encrypted email and PDF documents; single
sign-on for Web sites, VPNs, etc.
USB
A-Key®
tokens are secure. They store user information (certificates,
passwords, etc.) in encrypted memory, which is also
protected from brute force access. If someone tries
to log in to an USB A-Key®
token and fails a specified number of times, it
will erase all stored data. Encryption and brute force
protection are built into the hardware and cannot be
altered or erased. The amount of available memory depends
on the token selected, enough for certificates only
or enough encrypted flash memory for documents, images,
applications, etc.
USB
A-Key®
tokens are easy to deploy. Since almost everyone
is familiar with USB tokens and flash drives, there
is little or no training required to use USB A-Key®
tokens. They simply plug in to the existing USB
port of client machines. And because USB is on just
about every machine these days, users can take their
tokens and use their certificates wherever they go.
USB
A-Key®
tokens are flexible. With
optional software, USB A-Key®
tokens can also be used to store the user names
and passwords necessary for access to secured Web sites,
and keeps those credentials safe from trojans, key loggers
and unauthorized, prying eyes.
Clearly, with all of the
features and benefits, Authenex USB A-Key®
tokens with ACert™
software are the most
versatile, cost-effective alternative to smart cards
and smart card implementation for any sized organization. |