Digidentity, a leading identity service provider, announces a collaboration with Intel to provide native Universal Second Factor (U2F) support into Windows operating systems powered by 8th Generation Intel® Core™ processors.
THE HAGUE, 13 September 2017 – Digidentity, a leading identity service provider, announces a collaboration with Intel to provide native Universal Second Factor (U2F) support, as created by the FIDO Alliance, embedded into Windows operating systems powered by 8th Generation Intel® Core™ processors. The solution enables easier and more secure website access—for example, for British citizens accessing the GOV.UK website that is home to every government department and agency in the United Kingdom.
In 2016, for the first time, consumers reported making the majority of their purchases online. Businesses now also perform many of their operational and marketing tasks online. But the risks of doing any kind of business online, ranging from disruption of operations to identity theft, have only multiplied with time. Digidentity enables safe digital communications between individuals, companies, and governmental agencies, making your online life simpler and safer by enabling secure and verified digital identities for everyone. Digidentity is continuously developing new and improved services; that's why Digidentity is proud to announce the enablement of U2F.
Enabling U2F
U2F is an open standard for two-factor authentication tokens that enables internet users to securely access any number of online services ‒ with one single device ‒ instantly, using public key cryptography. U2F is widely considered one of the most secure authentication standards available, as it helps secure logins, prevent phishing attacks, and prevent adversaries from stealing user credentials, while also providing privacy assurances to the user. Digidentity has deployed this technology to enable users to log in more securely, with less friction, via two-factor authentication.
Two-factor authentication
As two-factor authentication becomes more widely adopted, it is critical that organizations move away from less secure secondary authentication methods such as one-time passwords (OTP) or SMS text messages. Two-factor authentication implements strong security–strong authentication, using public key cryptography that protects against phishing, session hijacking, man-in-the-middle, and malware attacks.
How does it work?
Intel® Online Connect is an internal security key that enables U2F. Once initialized, a simple on-screen security check will deploy each time you log in. A pop-up window will appear and ask you to click on a small button within a specific time frame. The button will appear on the screen in a different place each time you log in, which verifies that you are present at your computer. Click the button, and your second factor authentication is enabled. With your internal security key now active, your account is more secure. The pop-up window is invisible to remote hackers attempting to access your account, preventing them from completing this required security step.
“We are delighted to collaborate with Intel to integrate this new technology into our products. With a quick online process, the user's identity is verified and the data is encrypted to safeguard a user's privacy. We deliver security through identity,” said Marcel Wendt, Digidentity CTO and co-founder.
“Intel is committed to providing consumers with simpler and more secure ways to protect their online logins, and we're delighted to collaborate with Digidentity to make FIDO-compliant U2F available to users,” said Rick Echevarria, Vice President, Software and Services Group and General Manager, Platform Security Division.
About Digidentity
Digidentity develops services focused on a unique digital identity, where the user and their privacy are key. Digidentity is also a supplier of SSL certificates and qualified digital signatures. Digidentity provides national digital identity solutions to the Dutch and British governments, as well as solutions for a large variety of organizations. Our technology provides identities to more than 12 million Europeans, Digidentity executes more than 150 million secure online transactions per year between people, organizations, and governments.
Founded in 2008, Digidentity is privately held in The Netherlands. For more information, please visit www.digidentity.eu.
Media Contact
Marcel Wendt (CTO Digidentity) mwendt@digidentity.eu
