Thales, a leading supplier of IT security products and solutions for all critical infrastructures, today announced the launch of a packaged pilot version of its market-leading identity management and authentication solution, SafeSign, for mobile authentication. The pilot package is aimed at enterprises, banks and corporates, which need to implement strong authentication systems quickly and cost-effectively. The solution allows customers and employees to securely access services, such as online banking or work stations, using a mobile phone as the security token, removing the need to carry a dedicated hardware token.

As the worldwide mobile subscriber base is expected to increase from 2.6 billion at year-end 2006 to approximately 4.9 billion by year-end 2012* , the mobile phone is increasingly becoming a ubiquitous and cost-effective platform for authentication.

Thales' SafeSign mobile authentication pilot allows companies to quickly implement stronger security solutions in response to industry regulation or security breaches. By using the SafeSign pilot package, a strong authentication environment can be set up in under 20 minutes, revolutionising the pilot phase of a project, saving valuable time and enabling companies to react more quickly to changing security requirements.

As companies recognise the security weaknesses inherent in user ID and password log-ins, there is a growing need for two-factor authentication solutions to enhance security. Using a mobile phone for two-factor authentication is particularly attractive as there is no requirement for end users to carry a hardware token and organisations do not have to set up a new token infrastructure. Organisations can leverage the sophisticated support and distribution network that trusted mobile operators have already developed to reliably deliver services and mobile devices to millions of users.

Paul Meadowcroft, head of transaction security for the e-Security activities of Thales, commented, “Our SafeSign solution supports a range of security tokens, but the mobile phone is gaining traction as an authentication device as many of us carry our phones with us all the time. By offering this service in a pilot package, we are enabling our customers to save the time, money and resource that is often ploughed into traditional pilot projects. Such considerations are crucial at a time when many of our customers are under pressure to respond quickly to a constantly evolving security environment. The ability to easily run a proof-of-concept programme before committing to full-scale deployment also provides customers with the confidence that they are investing in a solution which will meet their business and security needs.”

Thales' SafeSign mobile authentication pilot package offers three different levels of authentication depending on customers' needs in terms of exposure to risk and the level of security required. One-off security details can be delivered to the user through an SMS or the handset can be configured to generate a one-time password or, for the strongest level of security, a challenge-response.

* Mobile Factbook 2007, Portio Research Ltd.

About the Thales SafeSign pilot package range
The range of SafeSign pilot packages feature an easy and rapid install and configuration procedure for Thales's identity management and authentication solution, providing users with the latest technology to securely authenticate user identities and digitally sign business transactions. Thales's ‘plug and play' software approach enables customers to get a security solution up and running quickly and in a cost-effective manner. In addition, the transfer from pilot to a full product system is straight-forward and efficient.

Notes to the Editor
Thales is a world leader in the provision of cryptographic security products and solutions for all critical infrastructures including governments, the military, satellite networks, enterprises and the finance industry. Thales has 40 years of unrivalled track record in protecting networks up to TOP SECRET and a complete portfolio of products, which includes network encryption, access control and remote user solutions. In the financial world, Thales secures value bearing transactions, data preparation for card and PIN issuing, and provides advanced user and message authentication solutions supported by secure identity management and token issuing. Over half of the world's banks, together with the majority of the busiest exchanges, currently use Thales technology and services.

Press Contacts
Thales, Security Solutions & Services
Tim Arnold / Claire Topping
Tel. +44 1 844 201 800
tim.arnold@thales-esecurity.com
claire.topping@thales-esecurity.com

Hotwire, press agency
Nicola Truman
Tel. +44 (0) 207 608 4673
nicola.truman@hotwirepr.com