Multi- and Second-Factor Security - VeriSign Identity Protection (VIP) Authentication Service

Product/Service: VeriSign Identity Protection (VIP) Authentication Service

Vendor: VeriSign, Inc.

Hardware or Software? Service

First Launched: February 2006

What it does? Based on open standards, the VIP Authentication Service is a two-factor authentication solution that delivers a one-time password through a wide choice of devices, including standalone tokens, credit card sized devices and mobile phones. The VIP service is deployed on a VeriSign-hosted network, which means consumers can use a single security device to authenticate themselves across any VIP-enabled Web site.  By leveraging a shared security and logistics infrastructure, VIP makes it simpler and more cost-effective for companies with extensive online presence to implement stronger authentication. For organizations, membership in the VIP Network helps distribute the costs of strong authentication.

“Increased end-user awareness and ongoing advances in technology are helping shape better products and services. VIP is bringing improvements in consumer authentication and identity protection online.”

Network Products Guide

Performance Throughput: n/a

Interfaces: n/a

Key Features and Benefits: Open:  Supports the OATH (Open Authentication) standard enabling a wide choice of credential form factors, including tokens, credit card form factors and SMS-enabled devices. Convenient/Simple: The VIP service is deployed on a trusted and shared network, which allows consumers to use a single security credential across any VIP-enabled Web site making it more convenient for end users to adopt two-factor authentication. Cost Effective: By leveraging a shared authentication network, VIP makes it simpler and more cost-effective for organizations to implement stronger authentication alleviating the burden of development and deployment costs. Trusted: VeriSign provides authentication services to over 500,000 web sites: 93% of the Fortune 500, 40 of the largest banks, and 47 out of the top 50 e-Commerce sites. 

“For online businesses, trust is essential for success. By adding an extra layer of protection beyond traditional log-ins with two-factor authentication, organizations around the world are preserving the trust they’ve built with their customers. We’re pleased that the VIP Authentication Service has received a 2008 Network Products Guide Reader Trust Award, an honor that reflects the importance of keeping consumers and businesses safe from the reach of fraudsters and identity thieves.”

Kerry Loftus, Vice President of Consumer Authentication - VeriSign

Unique Capabilities: While there are other two-factor authentication solutions on the market, VIP is the only solution designed and deployed for consumers on a large scale.  Other solutions incur high initial costs and high infrastructure fees. As a hosted service, VIP is easy and less costly for companies to implement and maintain. 

Targeted Users: Consumers

List Price: The pricing for the VIP Authentication Service is based on a volume-based pricing model. The list price is computed annually and is based on the number of users requiring strong authentication. If the number of users is large, the per-user price drops according to specific volume buckets.

Satisfied Customers: Yes (eBay/PayPal and AOL are a few sample organizations with end-customers using VIP credentials)

Sales Contact for VeriSign, Inc.
487 E Middlefield Rd
Mountain View, CA 94043
Identity and Authentication Sales: 650-426-5310