Walking the Converged Security Walk

[Originally posted Feb. 21, 2012 on HID Global's corporate blog.]

Many companies talk the convergence talk, but this week at the HIMSS show you can see HID Global walking the walk.

It's been about a year since HID brought ActivIdentity into the HID Global family. And as you would see at our HIMSS booth, it's become reasonably easy to implement a credential system that allows a single card to get through the door, perform highly secure computer log-in and use a variety of other smart card-enabled products and services. The organization that provides its end-users with multiple applications on a highly secure credential quickly realizes more convenience and a lower total cost of ownership.

Truth be told, back-end/database convergence still has a ways to go; separate systems for physical and logical access with unique user records/identities sit behind the scenes. 

However, on the user experience side, product convergence is real. The case studies exist and it's becoming less necessary to evangelize these integrated solutions.

If you're going to the HIMSS healthcare IT show that kicked off today in Las Vegas, please walk on over our booth #8013, to see convergence in action. Below, I've listed some of the solutions on display.

• ActivIdentity 4TRESS Authentication Appliance for multi-layered secure log-on and cloud security capabilities, along with HID Global and ActvIdentity credentials and tokens.
• Credential management solutions such as the ActivIdentity CMS Appliance and HID Global's award-winning card management software.
• Genuine HID reader solutions such as OMNIKEY desktop readers with contact and/or contactless interface, readers to support today's mobile workforce, and "clean room" readers for enhanced data security in hygienic environments.
• Printing and encoding solutions including FARGO Direct-to-Card printers to create customized photo IDs and encode smart cards.
• Solutions that expand the use of Genuine HID Technology to create solutions for the healthcare market from HID Connect partners.

Best regards,
--Scott Howell
scotthowell949@gmail.com
www.twitter.com/scotthowell

You can (virtually) be a part of ASIS this week

[Originally posted Sept. 19, 2011 on HID Global's corporate blog.]

Even if you can't travel to the big security show in Orlando over the next few days, you can keep up with HID Global and the rest of your favorite companies using Twitter and other online tools.

Twitter

If you don't yet use Twitter as a news source, let me assure you it is easy to use. And you can get familiar with this important information tool without ever posting a tweet yourself by simply reading the tweets of others. Here's how:

1. First, sign up for a free account at twitter.com.
2. Then do a search for #ASIS11. The pound or number sign is a hashtag that makes it easy to search by subject. Be sure to use the "Search" box, not the "What's happening" box.
3. Save the search and bookmark the page.
4. Then scan the new tweets a couple of times a day. It's a great way to keep abreast of the show's happenings and product announcements during the event.

Search now for ASIS 2011 news on Twitter. You'll see there is a lot of variety in terms of subject matter.

Some tweets are of the research or educational nature. Many tweets are reflections of what other people found of interest. And other tweets are straight forward promotions that suppliers use help direct show attendees to their booth.

Beyond the Tweet

Other ways to keep up on the ASIS event and the industry from afar:

• Peruse the blogs and other show-specific coverage. Bookmark your favorite consultants, analysts, vendors and media companies (often, magazine websites are good). Here are a couple of examples:
Security Magazine
Security InfoWatch

• Download the free ASIS Mobile app (for the iPhone and Android) for a directory listing the companies exhibiting and where to find specific products.

ASIS will be a key source for industry news over the next three days, so stop by HID's booth #2400...or join us virtually!

Best regards,
Scott Howell
scotthowell949@gmail.com
twitter: @ScottHowell

Today's Technology: Another "Learn It or Be Left Behind" Choice?

[Originally published August 9, 2011 on HID Global's corporate blog.]

Back in the 2000's, security professionals were told, "You better learn about IT networking, or you're going to be left behind." As it turns out, the warning was a good one. In the current market, companies without expertise in TCP/IP, domain controllers, SQL, XML, APIs, middleware and such, risk being bested by others that "get it."

Today, security professionals are facing another "learn it, or be left behind" choice.

No longer can one get away with saying simply, "The reader reads the card and passes the card number to the controller." The technology, regulations, applications and security environment have evolved. We're reaching an inflection point where the most capable and effective security professionals need to be able to speak intelligently about topics such as encryption, PKI, mutual authentication, identity management, credential management, provisioning, digital certificates, certificate authorities, federated trust bridges, NFC and more.

So, many security professionals face a choice:

• To decide not to decide, in other words, to ignore the newer technologies, hoping they will go away (but then to struggle to see through murky waters in a few years);
• To make a conscious decision to remain the same and find and defend a niche. For instance, there were locksmiths in the 80's and 90's that chose not to learn about electronic systems, and some of them today continue to fill a market need; or,
• To choose to embrace the changes and commit to transform the skill set and business offering to address the shifting market needs. My guess is, if you're reading this blog post, you're in this latter group, and that you're already absorbing new knowledge from every conference, white paper and podcast you can find.

Personally, I find it absolutely fascinating to apply advanced technology in a never-ending battle against the bad guys. The pace of change, challenges and opportunities have never been greater. 

"Community" is what social tools like blogs are all about. So I encourage you to comment in the space below. Thanks for reading.

Best Regards,
Scott Howell
scotthowell949@gmail.com
www.twitter.com/scotthowell