HID Global brings high authentication to mobile

HID Global, a provider of identity solutions, has released the Crescendo Mobile smart card offering to bring convenience to high security for accessing computer, network or cloud applications.

The new HID mobile smart card utilises digital certificates on users' mobile devices for client authentication.

The HID Crescendo Mobile solution provides organisations seeking to eliminate passwords with a solution that combines the high security of physical authenticators with the usability of a mobile solution.

Crescendo Mobile works similarly to and is compatible with highly secure Crescendo smart cards. However, rather than inserting a separate device into a contact smart card reader, it connects to a desktop computer via an NFC (near-field communication) reader or Bluetooth.

"End users and IT personnel alike have been clamouring for a highly secure solution for enabling secure access to networked assets that can utilise what people are already carrying, namely their mobile devices," says HID Global IAM solutions vice president and managing director Brad Jarvis.

"A key to ensuring security protocols are followed is to ensure that they are as easy to use as possible. The ubiquity of mobile phones, tablets and the like make them an obvious choice to become part of the security system.

The Crescendo Mobile app can be downloaded onto Android or iOS devices and the IT team can distribute secure cryptographic credentials to users without the need or expense of shipping smart cards or smart card readers.

The solution is particularly cost-effective to deploy for contractors and remote users.

Day-to-day usage scenarios for HID Crescendo Mobile include:

• Allowing a user to log on and unlock a Windows workstation to access cloud applications, VPNs, desktop applications and Microsoft Active Directory.

• When the user walks away, Crescendo Mobile App automatically locks the workstation down.

• End users can use their phone to carry the keys and digital certificates needed to digitally sign email, Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat documents.

• Ensure sensitive data confidentiality by requiring the phone to access encrypted email messages or files using Windows EFS file encryption.

The Crescendo Mobile app is available for Android 7 or later in Google Play and for iOS 11 or later in iTunes App Store.