DigitalPersona Releases Total Password Automation Solution

Pro 3.0 uses fingerprint authentication to make enterprise security simple to achieve, convenient to use

March 23, 2004

WASHINGTON, D.C., FOSE — DigitalPersona® Inc., the leading provider of fingerprint authentication solutions for enterprise and mainstream computing, today announced Pro® 3.0, a Total Password Automation solution that eliminates the costs, administrative burdens and security risks associated with traditional password based authentication. By taking passwords out of the hands of users, security administrators can dramatically simplify authentication, improve corporate security and lower help desk costs.

"Most corporations rely heavily on passwords to control network and application access, yet passwords remain the weakest link in the security chain," said Fabio Righi, president and CEO of DigitalPersona. "Fingerprint authentication has come of age, both in terms of cost and performance, to help solve the password problem. With DigitalPersona Pro 3.0 we have created a Total Password Automation solution that revolutionizes and simplifies authentication. The use of biometrics is no longer confined to James Bond movies."

The Password Headache

Passwords create highly uneven security because users—not IT staff—ultimately control password practices. Organizations attempt to lower this risk by managing passwords with rigid policies and password rules. Ironically, the more strict the password policy, the more difficult it is for users to comply. They often respond by writing passwords down or sharing them, which undermines their value as a security method. And for the good Samaritans who don't write them down, remembering a long list of frequently changing passwords is a challenge which often results in frequent calls to the IT help desk for password resets.

The Total Password Automation Approach

Automating password management with Pro 3.0 enables users to sign in to virtually any application with just the touch of a finger, dramatically increasing enterprise security. Because users no longer need to enter passwords to log on, the pains and vulnerabilities of lost, forgotten, shared, written down and expired passwords are eliminated. Security is strengthened by combining fingerprint authentication and password automation software into a single, integrated solution.

Pro 3.0 also lowers help desk costs for enterprises by taking passwords out of the hands and minds of end-users. They can't forget their finger the way they used to forget their passwords. Calls to the help desk for password assistance, which have been estimated to cost large businesses $150-$300 per user per year, are virtually eliminated.

Unlike many other security solutions, implementing DigitalPersona Pro 3.0 requires no professional services or rewriting of applications. As a result, installation costs are minimal, accelerating payback. DigitalPersona estimates that enterprises who buy Pro 3.0 experience a return on their investment in as little as 6 months.

In addition to making the security easier to manage for administrators, end-users are also delighted to be unburdened from the responsibility and tedium of password management. Pro 3.0 might be the only security solution on the planet that makes life better for these two historically warring factions.

New Features of Pro 3.0

Each DigitalPersona Pro 3.0 fingerprint security system ships with a sleek fingerprint scanner and workstation software. Server software is recommended for enterprises implementing more than 100 Pro 3.0 systems. Key new features of Pro 3.0 software include:

One Touch SignOn: A new password management application that makes it possible for end-users to log on to virtually any network or application with a touch on the fingerprint reader, thus eliminating their need to create, update and remember passwords for all their network and application logons.

One Touch SignOn Administrator Tool: A tool that allows administrators to easily create the above mentioned screen templates, configuring the system to automatically manage passwords for all the users of an application according to their policies. GPO's in Active Directory allow these templates to be easily distributed.

Password Change Management: As each password expires, Pro 3.0 automatically remembers the current password and then creates and enters a new one. This means that approved users don't need to know their old password to enter a new one.

Automatic Password Randomization: IT administrators now have the option to control password generation when an old password expires. This feature offers unprecedented security by replacing existing passwords with new, secret, randomized passwords. End-users are no longer involved in password selection or creation.

Pricing and Availability

DigitalPersona Pro 3.0 fingerprint security system is available now and retails for $149 per desktop. This includes the fingerprint reader and client software. For enterprises needing the server component, the individual desktop price is $199. Volume discounts may apply.

About DigitalPersona

DigitalPersona is the leading provider of fingerprint recognition systems for enterprise and mainstream computing. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Redwood City, Calif., DigitalPersona designs, manufactures and sells end-to-end solutions for the enterprise, developer and consumer/OEM markets. DigitalPersona has strategic relationships with market-making manufacturers and resellers including Intel® Corporation, Dell® Inc., Gateway®, GTSI® Corp., Chicony Electronics Co., and Darfon Electronics Corp. DigitalPersona® Pro®, the company's flagship password automation solution for enterprise authentication, is used by leading organizations such as The U.S. Department of Defense, Cargill®, Telmex®, The United Bankers' Bank and Sutter Health/CPMC.