HID combines security authentication and convenience with Crescendo Mobile solution

HID Global, a provider of trusted identity solutions, announced the Crescendo Mobile smart card 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.

Secure access via mobile phones

“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,” said Brad Jarvis, Vice President & Managing Director, IAM Solutions, with HID Global.

The ubiquity of mobile phones, tablets and the like make them an obvious choice to become part of the security system" “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.”

Just as convenience is added to the user experience, the deployment of HID Crescendo Mobile is simple. 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.

Usage scenarios for HID Crescendo Mobile:

• Allowing a user to log on and unlock a Windows workstation to access cloud applications, VPNs, desktop applications and Microsoft Active Directory.
• Importantly, 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. Crescendo Mobile is part of HID’s authentication solution that includes ActivID Credential Management System, providing full lifecycle management of both the authenticators and the credentials protected by the authenticator.