RSA SecurID Expands Support for Mobile Platforms

RSA, the security division of EMC, announced April 30 that it has enhanced its two-factor authentication technology to support the Java Micro Edition Platform.

Smart phones based on the platform can now be provisioned with an RSA SecurID Software Token, eliminating the need to carry a separate RSA SecurID hardware authenticator, company officials said. The next step, according to the company, is to support Windows Mobile Platforms.

The Windows Mobile 5.0 and 6.0 platforms will be used by future mobile devices, such as the Motorola MOTO Q 9h smart phone and handsets available from major mobile service providers.

"For many CIOs, mobile application security continues to top the list of concerns," said Robbie Higgins, director of Motorola Wireless Security Services, in a statement. "Leveraging its RSA SecurID technology for devices like our new MOTO Q 9h, we're helping to provide mobile professionals and prosumers with increased confidence around accessing business-critical data through a secure VPN from their mobile platform."

RSA SecurID Software Tokens generate a random, one-time pass-code that changes every 60 seconds. Users enter their personal identification number into the mobile client software interface and receive an RSA SecurID pass-code. After entering the pass-code, RSA Authentication Manager validates the pass-code and grants the user access.

RSA SecurID Software Tokens allow IT departments to increase the functionality of everyday devices and corresponding investments. Designed for use in conjunction with RSA Authentication Manager - the enterprise-class software that powers RSA SecurID - the software tokens offer an alternative for users seeking access to protected network resources, company officials said.

Toffer Winslow, vice president of product management marketing in the RSA division, said in an interview with eWEEK that he expects consumer interest in moving from hardware to software tokens to grow because of better usability.

The announcement expands security and cost-saving opportunities for the company's customers, said Christopher Young, vice president and general manager of the Consumer and Access Solutions Group within the RSA division.

"Both enterprises and consumers can leverage a single device to support additional security capabilities," Young said in a statement. "In this way, we are not only facilitating the deployment of ubiquitous authentication to an ever-growing mobile market, but also building the necessary confidence that corporate data is being accessed securely by customers, partners and employees."

RSA SecurID Software Tokens will be available for Windows Mobile 5.0 and 6.0 platforms on select products shipping in the second quarter of 2007.

Copyright 2007 by Ziff Davis Media, Distributed by United Press International