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Identix BioLogon Supports Novell's NDSeDirectory as a Biometric Component of Novell's Modular AuthenticationService
January 18, 2000 09:12 AM
SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 18, 2000--
Identix Readers, Immediately Available Through Global Channels in
Production Quantities, Supports NMAS Security Implementations
Identix Inc. IDX , a worldwide leader in providing biometric authentication, security and identification solutions, announced that its complete line of BioLogon(TM) software and hardware supports the Novell Modular Authentication Service (NMAS), introduced here at the RSA Security Conference NOVL .
BioLogon client/server software is a biometric component that supports NMAS's multi-layer security system, designed to offer alternatives to password logon and system security authorization.
Global availability of Identix's hardware readers and BioLogon software will enable rapid implementation of biometrics for Novell's NDS (Novell Directory Service) eDirectory customer base. Both Novell and Identix will jointly market Identix's BioLogon solution.
"With NMAS' incorporation of BioLogon, Novell network users have ready access to a faster more easily used security authentication solution. Identix is shipping hardware and software in volume and preparing to meet the expected growth and demand for our BioSecurity systems," said Grant Evans, Vice President and General Manager of Identix's IT Security Division.
"Pre-installed BioLogon equips Novell NDS customers with biometrics access to secure Internet transactions with Identix's proprietary biometric Authenticated Certificates (see Identix press release Nov. 16, 1999), another example of superior security."
"Compaq, Identix and Novell, through joint development efforts, have established a highly secure NDS authentication environment with the recent integration of biometrics technology directly into the Novell operating system," said Leigh Moore, Product Marketing Manager for Compaq's Commercial Desktop Security Products.
"Novell's native support for biometrics dramatically broadens the market for our award winning Fingerprint Identification Technology devices. More enterprise customers will now be able to take full advantage of Compaq's security solutions and reduce costs associated with password administration."
"As corporations realize the need to strengthen the access means to data and information on their networks, stronger authentication methods will become a standard security requirement," said Patrick Harr, Director of Product Management, Novell Inc.
"The combination of Identix's BioLogon and the Novell Modular Authentication Service provides an excellent means of providing strong authentication for NDS enterprises."
BioLogon and NMAS Working Together
NMAS is designed as a flexible and expandable login and authentication framework. It gives third-party developers the ability to plug-in modules (called Login Methods). Login Methods are used to identify a user to the NDS directory. Login security strength is often described in terms of these factors:
-- Something you know (a password or PIN)
-- Something you hold (a token, smart card or certificate)
-- Something you are (a biometric)
Login strength or access to network resources can be improved by combining one or more of these factors together. A problem for the network administrator has been how to combine these into a single composite login for the administrator's network. NMAS has been designed to solve this problem.
Through a combination of login methods, an administrator is able to define a login sequence that a user must follow in order to login to the network. NMAS supports combination login methods for:
-- NDS Password
-- Clear Text Password
-- Smart Card
-- Biometrics
-- X.509 Certificates
-- Message Digest
BioLogon software performs critically within the NMAS structure, providing the biometric fingerprint security component. BioLogon communicates through the client software with a biometric template, which is authorized by the BioLogon server software and verified by NMAS.
With Identix's newly introduced Authenticated Certificate solutions, biometric users of NMAS can complement the use of other Internet security mechanisms, such as digital certificates, digital signatures and public and private keys, with positive user authentication verified by Identix's biometric technology.
BioLogon server for NetWare will ship bundled with all NMAS modules for Netware 5.1 and will include a five-seat license. BioLogon Client for NetWare beta is available for free download at www.novell.com/products/nmas, and the production version is expected to be released this spring.
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