Reports from the point of convergence

Feb 1, 2001 12:00 PM

Tying real-world assets into the corporate IT network

The idea of using Internet technologies to manage non-IT assets and systems has many real-world applications, from monitoring alarm systems and gate and door access to long-distance process control and remote equipment monitoring. But a variety of implementation barriers have made it difficult to effectively bridge the gap between the cyber-world and the real world. A new product line called SNAP-IT is targeted at extending the Internet to encompass virtually all real-world devices and assets, according to its manufacturer, Opto 22, Temacula, Calif.

Opto 22, a provider of I/O system solutions, has announced a hardware-based communication system that connects real-world devices to Internet-based networks.

Other examples of applications might include refrigeration units, fuel pumps, microwave towers, cellular/wireless base stations and other remote facilities.

For information, visit ManagetheRealWorld.com.

Anti-virus protection: Need a second opinion?

Experts say a single anti-virus system is insufficient in today's virus-prone world, where a virus slipping into a network or Intranet can cost organizations millions of dollars in lost data and enterprise productivity.

Sources estimate that using only one anti-virus solution leaves an organization vulnerable to approximately 4 percent of viruses. Studies have shown that when two anti-virus products are used, the success rate in detecting and disinfecting viruses climbs as close as possible to 100 percent.

Command Software Systems, Jupiter, Fla., offers an approach to second-opinion anti-virus software that is a portable, on-demand inter/intranet-centric anti-virus product. The Command On Demand Virus scanner features the F-Prot Professional engine. For information, visit www.commandondemand.com.

Open transaction platform for smart card e-commerce

Funge Systems Inc., McLean, Va., developer of a new smart card payment brand for digital mobile commerce and e-payments, has announced The Open Transaction Platform for smart card transactions. The technology enables secure financial and non-financial smart card transactions on personal computers or mobile devices. The open, non-proprietary platform allows secure electronic transactions independent of any specific financial institutions, operating system, hardware or software provider.

The Funge system was developed to take advantage of the convergence of smart cards, e-commerce, wireless telecommunications and the Internet. The platform provides corporate and institutional customers with the Secure Authenticated Counter (SAC), Universal File Structure (UFS) and cryptography necessary to be compatible with personal computers, ATMs, point-of-sale terminals, vending machines, cable set-top boxes, mobile telephones, and personal digital assistants.

For information, visit www.fungesystems.com.

Aladdin, DST join forces to secure financial transactions

Providing secure digital certificate storage and authentication is the goal of an alliance between Aladdin Knowledge Systems, New York, and Digital Signature Trust, Salt Lake City, an affiliate of Zions Bancorporation. The partnership will combine Aladdin's eToken USB authentication token and DST's TrustID certificate Internet credential.

Forming the latest eToken technology partnership, Aladdin and DST will address the need to guarantee online communication for financial and banking services. At last fall's American Bankers Association convention in Washington, D.C., Aladdin and DST demonstrated how the universal Internet credential implements Aladdin's USB token that physically contains the digital certificate within a portable, tamper-proof container. Providing two-factor authentication, eToken works with DST's certificate services to secure financial institutions and their customers' transactions.

Redleaf Group positions itself to develop security strategies

A federally funded security research project reports an 85 percent increase in cyber-crimes in the first three quarters of 2000 compared to all of 1999 — more than 15,000 reported incidents. As the technology industry accelerates its efforts to combat these threats, the technology operating company Redleaf Group Inc., Pittsburgh, has created Redleaf Security Systems (RSS) to focus on global and strategic opportunities in the cyber-security marketplace. Its mission is to:

• enable Redleaf Group to track and understand cyber-security issues and create proactive solutions;

• provide capital to acquire or build products or companies that are developing promising cyber-security technology;

• define and establish partnerships to drive innovation in the cyber-security marketplace; and

• create a solution-set of products, services and expertise to address global cyber-security issues.

International Data Corp., Framingham, Mass., projects that the Internet security products market will grow to $10 billion by 2002. The average financial loss of proprietary data in 1999 was in excess of $1 million per organization, according to a joint Computer Security Institute/FBI survey.

Interland, ISS to deploy managed security services

Interland Inc., Atlanta, a provider of Web-enabling solutions, and Internet Security Systems, Atlanta, have formed an alliance to deliver managed Web site security services to small- and medium-size enterprises. The alliance will enable Interland to deploy from its data centers ISS' managed security services — around-the-clock remote management of customers' firewalls, virtual private network (VPNs) services and intrusion detection services.

Smart card supplier is part of Department of Navy program

Oberthur Card Systems, a smart card supplier, was among three companies selected for a multi-million-dollar General Services Administration/Department of the Navy Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) project that will supply four million physical and logical access control cards for government personnel by October 2002. The cards will provide access to networks as well as store digital certificates and signatures for authorized personnel who do contracting and who require highly-secure electronic transactions.

BRIEFLY: Mytec Technologies Inc., Toronto, is developing biometrics products that are compatible with Intel's CDSA security software, thus promoting use of biometric services alongside other security devices, including smart cards and cryptographic services.

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