DigitalPersona: Right Touch With Biometrics, Single Sign-On Solutions

DigitalPersona Pro Server Software integrates with Active Directory to provide domainwide security control and password management for networked DigitalPersona Pro workstations. Software features include the ability to securely and centrally store fingerprint and other user authentication credentials, a group policy architecture to centrally manage and distribute authentication policies, and the ability to leverage Active Directory for failover, scalability and roaming. The software also provides centralized biometrics event logs for enhanced regulatory compliance and assistance in the event of a forensics investigation.

Additional functionality is available when the Pro Server software is paired with the DigitalPersona Pro for Active Directory Workstation Package. The workstation software provides fingerprint authentication for Windows workstations and can operate on a stand-alone basis or in conjunction with DigitalPersona Pro Server. The package includes DigitalPersona's U.are.U Fingerprint Reader and the DigitalPersona IDentity Engine, the foundation of the local authentication application that houses the core algorithms to manage fingerprint verification. A plethora of other applications are also bundled with the workstation software, including One Touch LogOn, an application that automates logons based on scanned fingerprints; One Touch SignOn, which simplifies and secures access to password-protected applications and Web sites; and One Touch SignOn Administration Tool, which enables centralized setup and policy management. Other features include One Touch Internet, which grants end users access to personal Internet sites and accounts using fingerprint authentication; One Touch Crypto, which encrypts and decrypts local files; and One Touch Unlock, which locks and unlocks workstations according to their logon policies.

The combination of the server software and workstation package creates a complete, secure environment that also offers auditing and policy enforcement capabilities for meeting legislative requirements such as HIPAA and Sarbanes-Oxley. What's more, the robust feature set is easy to install and manage because the products are wizard-driven and tightly integrate with Active Directory, which proves to be a simple way to manage policies while still using tools that are familiar to seasoned administrators.

The workstation software is designed to support Windows 95 and above but offers the highest security capabilities when deployed with Windows 2000 or Windows XP Professional. The server software requires a Windows Server running Active Directory and the ability to extend the schema for integration purposes. Solution providers have several choices when it comes to the hardware product. A slim USB reader is available, as is a keyboard with an integrated fingerprint scanner. DigitalPersona provides extensive documentation with each of the products, which further eases installation and support.

Beyond initial security, solution providers will find that DigitalPersona offers several other advantages. For one, technical support calls because of lost or forgotten passwords will be virtually eliminated, which can reduce support costs and improve the overall end-user experience. What's more, the inherent auditing capabilities of the company's products can be used to meet investigative or employee policy requirements. DigitalPersona's Premier Partner Program offers sales leads, a dedicated partner Web site, sales and marketing collateral, product updates, joint marketing opportunities and access to a DigitalPersona channel sales manager for sales training, account visits and assistance in closing business. The company declined to disclose average reseller margins.