SecureData, a member of the JSE-listed ERP.com Group and the distributor for RSA Security products in Sub-Saharan Africa, today announced that the latter and America Online (AOL) have launched AOL PassCode.
The new premium service offers members a second level of AOL account protection through the use of a keychain-sized device that generates and displays a unique six-digit numeric code every 60 seconds.
"AOL PassCode is like adding a deadbolt to your AOL account by automatically creating a new secondary password every 60 seconds," commented Ned Brody, AOL's Senior Vice-President for Premium Services.
"Many of our members use their accounts for business purposes, financial transactions or other sensitive activities. AOL Passcode offers a higher standard of protection through the same state-of-the-art two-factor authentication system used by many financial institutions, technology companies, and other major businesses. We're proud to be the first online service to offer this extraordinary supplementary level of security protection to our users."
AOL PassCode offers a higher standard of protection for members through the same RSA SecurID state-of-the-art two-factor authentication system already used by thousands of businesses worldwide. AOL members using PassCode must enter their normal account password and the current device code in order to access their account.
"The emergence of new and more pervasive online threats and an increase in what consumers can and want to do are requiring better ways to protect personal information online," added Art Coviello, President and Chief Executive Officer at RSA Security. "AOL PassCode is a powerful, yet simple tool that helps ensure an AOL account, and the information in it, is being protected by one of the world's strongest authentication technologies. RSA Security leads the market in strong two-factor authentication, and we're pleased to work with AOL to extend that leadership into online consumer identity protection."
About the AOL PassCode service:
* To log into an AOL account, users are prompted for both their normal password and the token code generated by the PassCode device.
* Based on RSA Security's patented authentication technology, the device generates a simple, six-digit code that changes every 60 seconds.
* The result is a unique, one-time-use PassCode that is used to positively identify, or authenticate, the user. If the code is validated by the system, the user is granted access to their AOL account. If it is not recognised, the user is denied access.
"The AOL PassCode Service Offering is a historical event in e-commerce and will pave the way for much needed and more widespread two-factor authentication among US consumers and their service providers," added Avivah Litan, Vice-President and Research Director at Gartner, a provider of research and analysis on the global IT industry.
"AOL is ahead of its peers in realising that consumers are willing to pay for additional security, and utilising RSA Security's practical, proven technology is a logical choice."
For further information, please contact Dean Brazier at telephone (011) 257 8600; fax (011) 257 8699; e-mail deanb@sd.co.za.
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America Online, Inc is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.
RSA Security
With more than 13 000 customers around the globe, RSA Security provides interoperable solutions for establishing online identities, access rights and privileges for people, applications and devices. Built to work seamlessly and transparently in complex environments, the company's comprehensive portfolio of identity and access management solutions -- including authentication, Web access management and developer solutions -- is designed to allow customers to confidently exploit new technologies for competitive advantage.
RSA Security's strong reputation is built on its history of ingenuity and leadership, proven technologies and long-standing relationships with more than 1 000 technology partners. For more information, please visit www.rsasecurity.com.
SecureData
SecureData, an ERP.com company, is Africa's premier IT security solution provider. SecureData's solutions incorporate anti-virus and content security, network security, intrusion detection software and network asset management. SecureData's comprehensive "Managed Security Services" include design, audit, implementation, outsourcing and hosting.
SecureData distributes, sells and supports category leading IT security products to the public, corporate and SME sectors throughout Africa as well as products and services to the SOHO and consumer markets through partnerships with ISPs. As well as being the sole distributor in Sub-Saharan Africa for Trend Micro, SecureData is the southern African distributor for US-based BorderWare, SA-based Cell-ID, UK-based Centennial and US-based Network Privacy. For more information, visit SecureData at www.sd.co.za.
ERP.com
ERP.com is a JSE-listed company focused on the implementation, integration and management of enterprise applications in an e-business environment. For more information, visit ERP.com at www.erpcom.co.za.
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