Microsoft, VeriSign Team Up on Security

The two companies announce an agreement to deliver new solutions for securing online information, particularly in remote access situations.

DALLAS—Microsoft Corp. and VeriSign Inc. Tuesday announced an agreement to deliver new solutions for securing online information, particularly in remote access situations.

At the here, the companies announced that the new security solutions will be built on Microsofts Windows Server 2003 and Mountain View, Calif.-based VeriSigns Managed PKI Services and will target enterprise users looking to secure online information and digital identity management systems. The joint effort will amount to a next-generation public key infrastructure solution, the companies said. First delivery of the technology is expected by the end of this year, they said.

The technology will combine several features required for a security solution in todays world of Web services and Web applications, including ease of use, interoperability and integration.

It will take Windows features and add PKI enhancements to handle things like automated renewal of digital certificates, securing of e-mail and digital signatures, and securing of access to wireless LANs or virtual private networks, the companies said.

Meanwhile, the jointly developed solution will enable users to embed PKI into desktop applications for added security, while also extending the security capabilities of PKI outside the boundaries of the enterprise network, they said.

Microsoft and VeriSign said they plan to work together on future security efforts such as eliminating spam and enforcing digital rights management.

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