SAFLINK, in Partnership with Novell, Adds Biometric User Authentication to Novell NetWare
Users of Novell NetWare no longer have to remember passwords for secure access to network resources. They can now log on by using a biometric characteristic, such as a fingerprint, speech pattern or facial image
October 21, 1998 08:49 AM
ATLANTA, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- (NETWORLD+INTEROP '98) SAFLINK Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of The National Registry Inc. NRID and a Development Partner of Novell, Inc. NOVL today introduced a new software product that provides secure authentication of end users in Novell NetWare(R) environments. This week, attendees at Networld+Interop '98 in Atlanta can see a demonstration of this new product in Booth #761.
Secure Authentication Facility for NetWare(TM) (SAF/netware) is a packaged software solution that adds biometric user authentication to NetWare's own password-based client logon process. To access network resources, an authorized user enters a user name and is then challenged to present a personal biometric characteristic. SAF/netware supports multiple biometric technologies including fingerprint, speech, and facial image recognition. SAF/netware verifies the user's identity and completes the logon process through the Novell Directory Service (NDS).
"Novell users have come to expect an impressive level of security and ease-of-use from all the products that leverage NDS like NetWare and Z.E.N.works," said Michael Simpson, director of marketing for Novell. "We are very pleased to partner with SAFLINK to integrate its biometric solutions with NDS to offer customers new and innovative ways to make network authentication simple and secure."
SAF/netware increases enterprise security by adding proven biometric identification to NetWare's password authentication mechanism. Passwords can be forgotten, stolen or discovered by hackers. Biometric authentication represents a unique characteristic of an individual and enhances security against unauthorized access to sensitive information files on a network. Eliminating the need to remember passwords also enhances user convenience. System administrators not only benefit from enhanced network security but can also realize cost savings associated with the management of complex password rotation schemes and the lost productivity of employees who forget their passwords.
Like all of SAFLINK's biometric information security products, SAF/netware supports any biometric technology that implements the open systems standard Human Authentication Application Programming Interface (HA-API) specification. SAF/netware will be available for shipment in December 1998 from SAFLINK or from SAFLINK-authorized resellers. The list price, including a fingerprint recognition biometric software module, is $149 per client workstation. Authentication server software, which runs under the Windows NT Server(R) operating system, is provided at no additional charge.
The system administrator will install SAF/netware software on the Windows 95/98 or Windows NT client workstation and on the Windows NT server that functions as a biometric authentication server for the network. Once the desired biometric capture hardware device, such as a fingerprint scanner, sound card and microphone, or video camera is installed on the client workstation, the system is ready to go. A wide range of biometric hardware devices from a variety of vendors is supported by SAF/netware.
"SAF/netware provides robust biometric authentication capability for the many thousands of users of Novell's advanced network products," said Clinton C. Fuller, SAFLINK's Chief Operating Officer. "Our standards-based approach to the integration of multiple biometric technologies for network security applications will give Novell users the flexibility and freedom of choice to configure their systems to function most effectively in their particular environments."
SAF/netware is highly scaleable, from a single workgroup server to a large complex NetWare network with multiple servers. User administration and biometric enrollment is performed and synchronized through the NetWare Administrator Utility. SAF/netware supports a mixed environment of biometric authentication and password authentication to simplify the process of a phased implementation. SAF/netware also supports networks with both Novell servers and Windows NT domains. A single biometric logon will authenticate a user to both the Novell Directory Service and the Windows NT domain.
Scott & White Hospital/Clinic, a nationally recognized medical facility in Temple, Texas is also planning its installation of SAF/netware. "We are looking forward to applying biometric authentication to Scott & White's complex multi-user, multi-platform enterprise system," said Troy Stillwagon, information security manager at Scott & White. "We believe that SAF/netware will resolve many of our password authentication problems and will assist with enforcement of our information security policy."
"As both a Novell Platinum Reseller and a SAFLINK authorized reseller, MID-SOUTH is excited about the availability of SAF/netware for our clients," said Neil Segars, president and chief executive officer of MID-SOUTH Data Industries, Inc. of Birmingham, Alabama, a leading provider of integrated network solutions in the greater South. "Biometric authentication is the next great advance in information security, and we look forward to assisting our clients in taking advantage of this exciting technology."
The National Registry Inc. and SAFLINK Corporation, based in Tampa, Florida, bring the Power of Biometric Identification(TM) to enterprise networks and the Internet. The Company provides cost-effective multi- biometric software solutions to verify individual identity, to protect business and personal information, and to replace passwords and PINs in order to safeguard and simplify access to electronic systems and enable new online services for customers. The Company's Secure Authentication Facility (SAF) suite of multi-biometric network security products delivers enterprise-level secure access control to a growing list of software platforms and network applications, including Microsoft(R) Windows NT(R) and Internet Information Server(R), Novell NetWare(R) and Computer Associates Unicenter(R) TNG(TM) and its Single Sign-On(TM) option. Further information is available through the Company's World Wide Web site at saflink.com.
Secure Authentication Facility, SAF, SAFsite, SAFtyPIN, and SAFLINK are trademarks of The National Registry Inc. All other brands and products referenced herein are acknowledged to be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
SOURCE SAFLINK Corporation
|
