SanDisk and VeriSign Partner To Extend Consumer
Authentication Capabilities to Flash Memory Devices
SanDisk to Embed VeriSign® Identity Protection Services Into Flash
Drives and Trusted Flash For Mobile Devices, Enabling Consumer-Friendly
Two-Factor Authentication
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA., February 13, 2006 – VeriSign, Inc.,
(NASDAQ: VRSN), the leading provider of intelligent infrastructure services
for Internet and telecommunications networks, and SanDisk® Corporation
(NASDAQ: SNDK) today announced a strategic partnership that calls for
the two companies to collaborate on providing a non-intrusive, easy
to use solution to protect consumers against online identity theft.
Under terms of the partnership, SanDisk will embed
VeriSign® Identity Protection (VIP) Service capability and Open Authentication
(OATH) compliant One-Time-Password (OTP) algorithms into their main
suite of USB flash device products. The solution will enable consumer-friendly
two-factor authentication for end users who purchase SanDisk mass-storage
devices at retail outlets and then use them at VIP-enabled web sites.
By embedding VeriSign’s strong authentication capabilities
into SanDisk devices, consumers will gain new security functionality
in already ubiquitous devices used to store personal images, information
and music. Enterprises, such as financial services institutions
and e-commerce merchants who are members of the VIP network, will gain
users of enhanced security solutions without the costs associated with
the purchase and distribution of proprietary two-factor authentication
tokens.
“The addition of strong authentication services from
VeriSign will greatly augment the extensive storage capabilities of
our SanDisk devices and provide a level of ‘out of the box’ consumer
online identity protection,” said Carlos Gonzalez, Senior Director of
Consumer Marketing, SanDisk Corporation. “Through our partnership
with VeriSign, our flash devices will contain a capability previously
unavailable – at no additional cost to consumers.”
Announced earlier today, VeriSign Identity Protection
is a modern approach to combating digital identity theft targeted at
both consumers and online services that enables the use of strong authentication
across multiple Web sites by promoting a shared authentication network
approach. With VIP, the same authentication device will work across
any network member sites, leveraging a shared infrastructure and enabling
everyday devices in consumer hands to become authentication devices.
“The integration of VIP services, OATH-compliant open-standards-based
OTP algorithms and SanDisk flash devices will create an entirely new
distribution channel for two-factor authentication services” said Nico
Popp, vice president, Authentication Services, VeriSign Security Services.
“Consumers will now be able to purchase mass-storage devices with two-factor
authentication capabilities at ‘Big-Box’ consumer and electronic stores
and immediately use it to protect their online interactions with financial
institutions and e-commerce sites that are part of the VIP network.”
About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), operates intelligent infrastructure services
that enable and protect billions of interactions every day across the
world’s voice and data networks. Additional news and information about
the company is available at www.verisign.com
For more information, contact:
VeriSign Media Relations: Brendan P. Lewis, brlewis@verisign.com,
650-426-4470
VeriSign Investor Relations: Tom McCallum, tmccallum@verisign.com,
650-426-3744
Statements in this announcement other than historical
data and information constitute forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve risks
and uncertainties that could cause VeriSign's actual results to differ
materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements.
The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainty
of future revenue and profitability and potential fluctuations in quarterly
operating results due to such factors as the risk that VeriSign's announced
strategic relationships, including the relationship with SanDisk, may
not result in additional products, services, customers, profits or revenues;
and increased competition and pricing pressures. More information about
potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial
results is included in VeriSign's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2004 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
VeriSign undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking
statements after the date of this press release.
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