SafeNet Uses Phoenix Device Authentication

April 22, 2003 -- (FIND VPN) -- Core-level software technology developer Phoenix Technologies Ltd. (Phoenix.com) announced on Monday that it has expanded its technology partnership with network security solutions provider SafeNet Inc. (SafeNet-Inc.com).

According to the agreement, says Phoenix, SafeNet will incorporate Phoenix's device-based security, currently implemented in Phoenix Device Connect, into its Suite of SafeNet Trusted Services managed VPN services. The new technology, says Phoenix, will allow SafeNet to offer platform authentication to its customers, particularly those in government and financial markets.

Phoenix says device authentication ensures that both the user and the device are trusted before granting access to a network. It means a user can only enter a network using a particular PC, so stolen usernames and passwords cannot be used on another PC. Even if the PC is stolen, it can be immediately disconnected from the network by the administrator.

"Typically, VPN services allow network access to users with only a username and password," said Timothy D. Eades, Senior Vice President of Corporate Marketing and Product Development for Phoenix. "Likewise, tokens, smart cards, and biometrics are confined to identifying the user, but not the device. Phoenix provides a unique and transparent method to ensure that only a specific user with a specific device will gain access to protected network resources."