HID Global Takes A Logical Step In Convergence Of Access Control Solutions

HID Global recently announced that it is expanding its position within the access control space to include logical access control products and solutions for converged security environments. By collaborating with IT industry leaders, the company offers a portfolio of logical access offerings to meet market requirements, enabling physical access control integrators to use HID technology to provide complementary logical access solutions.

“Since establishing our relationship with Microsoft around Crescendo and its support for Identity Lifecycle Manager 2007, HID Global has led the industry in providing breakthrough solutions for the true convergence of physical and information security, enabled by an access control card,” said Denis Hébert, president and CEO of HID Global. “Never before has it been so easy to have convenience meet security at the desktop.”



As a further extension of HID’s reach in the IT space, the company announced that its iClass contactless smart cards are read by the embedded contactless smart card reader in select models of new Dell Latitude E-Family laptops. Organizations can now use a single HID iClass card for both physical building access and secure authentication to PCs. When using an iClass card, laptop users will be able to take advantage of the Dell pre-boot authentication functionality which helps to secure the data on the laptop. When first turning the laptop on, a user will present an iClass card to the contactless smart card reader located in the palm rest of the laptop.

A valid card presentation will allow the laptop to boot up and take the user to the Windows operating system.

In the future, users will be able to experience secure, two factor authentication to the laptop. Users will have the ability to present their card and a PIN to securely authenticate to either Windows XP or Windows Vista. This conforms to Microsoft’s strategic direction to deploy smart cards for secure authentication.



“Having HID technology seamlessly integrated into a mainstream PC platform is good news for HID customers,” said Mr. Hébert. “It is this type of development that provides customers with convenient and cost effective options to secure PCs and the associated data.” 

HID is further leveraging its core market position in physical access control by offering a wide range of logical access products, solution, and capabilities that reinforce the company’s strategy of providing solutions for the delivery of secure identity.

The products and solutions include:

• HID on the Desktop: A set of logical access control solutions that can extend the reach of an existing physical access infrastructure. With HID on the Desktop, the same card that is used to open the door can now open Windows on the PC. An HID card or token, an OMNIKEY reader, and naviGO software is all that it takes to experience improved security and greater convenience at the desktop.
• Crescendo smart cards: A series of secure multi-technology, off the shelf smart cards, Crescendo cards enable convergence by providing standards compliant support for existing physical and logical access applications.
• Omnikey readers: The Omnikey reader line is a desktop and mobile reader and driver infrastructure that ensures seamless integration and interoperability between PC and smart card. The newest offering is the Omnikey 6321, a USB connected “dongle” reader that supports the use of contactless smart cards for secure two factor authentication in a mobile computing environment.
• naviGO: naviGO is a software package that enables an organization to use its existing physical access control cards for two factor authentication at the desktop.

Enhancing these converged solutions, the Asure ID 2009 card personalization software improves the issuance and management of advanced photo ID credentials with visual security features. Additionally, the company’s IT Channel Program focuses on working with leading third party IT vendors to deliver enterprise applications such as single sign on, pre-boot authentication, and disk encryption solutions.