Security Featured Article

Charismathics, a global leader in IT security components and identity management software for integrators, software & hardware vendors, and service providers, have announced the launch of its iEnigma identity protection application for Apple’s (News - Alert) iPhone and iPod Touch. This gives tens of millions of mobile device users a way to protect their data from security breaches, making it easier for enterprises to enact a “two-factor authentication” security approach, according to the company.

 

“iEnigma turns anyone’s iPhone (News - Alert) into a security key,” said charismathics CEO Sven Gossel. “It protects email and other data on people’s iPhones and saves companies money by allowing them to deploy two-factor authentication without the large cost of buying smart card readers and smart cards for every employee.”

 

The application turns iDevices into a storage device for users’ digital identities. When users need authenticated access, a digital signature or email or data encryption, they can enter a password and iEnigma turns the iPhone itself into the second “factor” required for access. Charismathics plans to also make the software available for other major smart phone platforms throughout this year, including the support of discrete hardware and supporting major government applications.

 

Company officials explain in a statement that the two-factor authentication is a security system where two factors – for example, a memorized password and a card or key – are necessary for access. This protects data far more securely than the use of a single password, which can be stolen or guessed.

 

iEnigma will be available for download from Apple's Apps Store in April. Once downloaded, users connect via Wi-Fi with charismathics’ software, automatically installed on their computer and then they can shake their iPhone to generate a digital key. Company officials claim that iEnigma integrates with all common mail clients and browsers and plugs into all other charismathics software solutions, so can easily be made part of existing infrastructures.