Activcard unveils updated smart card management system delivering unsurpassed security for corporate and government digital id cards

CTOs, CIOs and IT professionals are becoming increasingly aware of the expense and security risks associated with managing a proliferation of username/password credentials and the ongoing cost of leased tokens assigned to each user. A single multi-function smart card can securely store PKI certificates for digital signatures and secure email, biometric and demographic data, one-time-passwords, as well as card applets for a variety of uses. AIMS Enterprise streamlines the transition to smart card-based digital IDs by consolidating those credentials into a single enterprise user ID card.

“Today, organisations are charged with locking down their businesses for the highest levels of security, while achieving a balance of empowering their employees with the freedom to access information from any place, at any time,” said George Garrick, CEO of ActivCard. “This new version of AIMS Enterprise makes it easier than ever for an organisation to move to smart cards that protect the enterprise’s digital assets, while increasing the productivity of its people.”

AIMS Enterprise provides all of the necessary functionality required to issue and maintain smart cards throughout their lifecycle, including but not limited to: smart card enrolment and issuance, post-issuance updates and help desk, auditing, reporting, key management, and user self-service support tools. The advanced card management system from ActivCard automates the processes for issuing and revoking permanent and replacement cards, including all credentials associated with the cardholder. AIMS Enterprise enhances and supports the widest wide range of directories, certificate authorities, smart cards and databases on the market.

AIMS Enterprise is a key component in ActivCard’s Corporate Access Card (CAC) solution for achieving a proven return on investment by consolidating credentials and improving IT security. By centralising digital identity management with a smart card-based access system, the enterprise can use a single device for both network security and physical security resulting in lower hardware and support cost than those disparate systems running separately. A single Corporate Access Card can be used for photo ID, building access, and computer and network security applications.

“There are signs of growing interest in corporate enterprises about using smart cards as part of an overall identity infrastructure and management solution. With any broad-based solution that might entail the cards, a management lifecycle capability is essential. In fact, such projects won’t be successful without them. Providers that can deliver effective card management solutions in pursuit of an overall identity management strategy will find success as smart cards emerge within the enterprise,” said Earl Perkins, a Vice President of Security & Risk Strategies at META Group, Inc.

AIMS Enterprise 3.5 Improvements

AIMS Enterprise 3.5 reflects the aggressive improvements made to ActivCard’s existing Digital Identity and Authentication solutions and features the most advanced security capabilities available to enterprise-class customers. These include:

• Enhanced interoperability for Microsoft Environments including support for the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Certificate Server, Active Directory and Microsoft SQL Server
• Unique Self-Service Wizard to handle common support issues and card updates
• Automated Key Escrow and Recovery capabilities to streamline the issuance of replacement cards
• Post-Issuance addition of PKI certificates and applets – providing a future-proof solution
• Integration APIs to enable development of automated processes and synchronisation with external systems such as building access and provisioning systems
• On-Card Key Generation for the creation of secure digital signature keys
• Improved user interface for administrators, security officers and end users
• Improved set-up and configuration utilities for faster deployment
• Improved ActivPack interoperability to ease secure remote access administration

About ActivCard

ActivCard, www.activcard.com is a leading global provider of Secure Digital Identity and Authentication software for secure remote access, secure sign-on and digital ID card solutions. Our scalable IDM and strong authentication solutions are trusted by organisations – from enterprise to governments around the world. ActivCard solutions deliver maximum Return On Identity (ROI) through increased security, reduced cost, and user convenience. The modular product design allows our customers to add capabilities as required, preserving their investment.

ActivCard is a registered trademark and ActivCard Identity Management System, ActivPack, Corporate Access Card, and Return on Identity are trademarks of ActivCard in the United States and/or other countries. Active Directory, Microsoft, and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners in the United States and/or other countries.

CONTACTS:

ActivCard UK
Sales Director Northern Europe
Knyvett House
The Causeway
Staines Middx TW18 3BA
+44 (0) 1784 898 072
swakely@activcard.com

ActivCard Corporate
Julie White
Tel: +1 510 574 1708
jwhite@activcard.com