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Card technology vs token technology


Johannesburg, 02 Mar 2004

This is a tough question in any corporate environment that is addressed more often than not. What are the cost factors between the two offers? Which is the most convenient and addresses all the security levels that are required? What are the capabilities and how user-friendly is the technology? Can it integrate with current and future systems?

Condyn, distributor for Rainbow Technologies in Africa, has identified these areas and analysed the current problems that corporate clients face today.

We have now developed an additional solution on the iKey 1000 USB token which will address these issues in every corporate environment. In the past, the only way to deal with physical and logical access security on computers was by using smart cards and appropriate card readers, an expensive technology especially for large corporations.

The question that comes to mind is: what if the card, which contains company details and often personal details, is lost? Today physical access and logical access is converging and if we fail to address these issues, we will always have a problem with unauthorised people gaining access to buildings and in the same way also access privileged data.

It is a common fact that people do get into buildings with cards that were lost with the visible information on the cards specifying exactly where to find the organisation. The problem with physical security is that a tool is needed to identify the bearer of an access card by means of comparison with a recorded image. Furthermore, cost factors tend to make this technology extremely expensive as cards need to be reprinted once details have changed. Obviously, this incurs costs as well as time delays in issuing new cards.

Many companies have addressed the visitor card issue by deploying imaging systems with printers. Again a costly approach when the costs of stationery (stickers) and print cartridges are taken into account.

With the iKey 1000, one can have all of these functionalities and many more. One will be able to securely integrate the key solution with current human resources systems, security - reception desks, etc. Details of the bearer such as digital certificates, photographs, serial numbers of notebooks and PDAs can now be stored in the USB iKey 1000. This information is important for security verification whether the bearer is standing in front of a security checkpoint or going through a door. HID security systems can now be integrated, thereby incorporating all these value-added services within the iKey 1000 and ensuring secure physical access as well as two-factor authentication to computer devices and other online resources.

One key therefore solves a host of current issues in an organisation ranging from human resources to security and computer system authentication neatly packaged in a single compact device. Additional savings result from the fact that no expensive, cumbersome and support intensive card readers are required.

The USB iKey 1000 now features a built-in proximity token compatible with any HID reader and for all other functions uses the standard USB device on a PC.

iKey 1000 also integrates with iGate, a SSL VPN platform for secure clientless remote access. Furthermore, iKey 1000 integrates with the Pointsec hard drive encryption solution for desktops and notebooks. Deploying an iKey 1000 solution opens an entire new security world to the customer. The iKey also offers solutions in the other areas such as: workstations, file and disk encryption, Web access, VPN, PKI, network and e-mail.

"Today, cyber war is becoming a real threat and is no more a far-fetched idea in the mind of a Hollywood director," says Jorina van Rensburg, CEO of Condyn. "It is imperative that we address security on both a physical and technological level but always with the end-user in mind. The system should be cost-effective, user-friendly and offer smooth integration. These factors all form part of the solution."

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Editorial contacts

Jorina van Rensburg
Condyn
(012) 665 4356
jorina@condyn.net