Offers free two-factor managed authentication service in support of National Identity Fraud Prevention Week

8 October 2008

CRYPTOCard, a leading developer of two-factor authentication (2FA) technology for multi-vendor environments, today announces a ‘Password Amnesty’, calling on UK businesses to hand-in their obsolete single passwords and replace them with a free two-factor managed authentication service for up to 200 users, per business.  The initiative, launched in support of National Identity Fraud Prevention Week, aims to highlight the dangers of ‘single password’ strategies that leave organisations wide open to hackers, and urges business leaders to rise to the challenge of protecting their information assets.

Neil Hollister, CEO of CRYPTOCard, explains; “The government estimates that costs of over £1bn per year can be attributed to identity fraud, but this is just the tip of the iceberg.  For example, nearly every week we hear of laptops being lost or stolen, but it is not just the data stored on these devices that we should be concerned about.

“Most laptops provide remote access to a company’s corporate network, with username and password stored for ease of connection, and thereby allowing hackers easy access to a company’s entire internal network.  Many businesses have yet to implement some form of password validation strategy and many hold back because of cost and complexity.  But what cost the price of stolen identities and the brand damage that ensues?”

Hollister concludes; “Today, we’re offering all UK businesses an amnesty on their password, and will replace their insecure existing password system with our proven managed 2FA service, CRYPTO-MAS, free of charge, for up to 200 users.”

Jason Hart, former ethical hacker and now VP Europe for CRYPTOCard, adds; “Most businesses already recognise the need to implement a firewall or anti-virus solution, but few do anything to verify the identity of users accessing the network.  I’ve seen hackers crack passwords in a matter of minutes, using a variety of methods, most of which are available free on the internet.  Unless you lock the door, then anyone can walk into your company and literally destroy your reputation or the integrity of your data.”     

CRYPTO-MAS is a unique managed service which provides a flexible, affordable solution using 2FA technology, and positively identifies individuals before giving them access to applications, data and networks.  The service requires users to input something they know, such as a password, and something they don’t, such as a one-time generated PIN, delivered via hardware or software token, SMS, or smartcard.

CRYPTO-MAS simply sits in front of a company’s remote access or VPN network – no hardware or software installation is required.  High levels of security can be provided in a matter of minutes.

To hand-in your password and register for a free managed two-factor authentication service, please visit: www.cryptocard.com/howtobuy/passwordamnesty.

Terms & Conditions:
The Password Amnesty applies only to UK businesses (referred to from this point forward as the ‘Business’).  The service, CRYPTO-MAS, is available for this promotion from 08.10.08, and will expire on 31.12.08.  On registration, the Business must provide the name and contact details of a nominated project leader.  CRYPTOCard will supply the service and up to 200 software tokens (PC or BlackBerry), with the option to take an additional SMS token, free of charge, per registered Business.  The Business will be contacted within 24 hours of registration to confirm and coordinate CRYPTO-MAS set-up.

To ensure eligibility of the promotion, upon registration, the Business commits to the following: the Business agrees that its contact details can be forwarded to a selected agent or partner of CRYPTOCard for the fulfilment of the service; the Business commits to trialling the service; the Business will provide feedback to CRYPTOCard following the expiry date of the service; the Business acknowledges that the service will expire on 31.12.08.