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Weather Centre Selects ActivIdentity for Pan-European Secure Remote Access
LONDON, October 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is implementing a secure solution to access super-computer resources and data provided by the organisation's international hub in Reading, Berkshire. This strong authentication solution from ActivIdentity(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ACTI) will be rolled out to 3,000 users across 28 countries. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051108/SFTU161LOGO) ECMWF produces medium-range forecasts, predicting the weather up to 15 days ahead; monthly forecasts for the period 10-30 days ahead; and seasonal forecasts, predicting the weather six to 12 months ahead. Its products are provided to National Weather Services, as a complement to their national short-range and climatological activities. Data is gathered from terrestrial observations, satellites, buoys, ships and aircraft, and then processed by an IBM super-computer comprised of two 155-server clusters. The ActivIdentity solution, delivered by systems integrator Sysec Solutions, replaces an older generation, proprietary single-function system installed in 1995 that had become increasingly expensive to maintain. The new extensible standards-based system from ActivIdentity, which supports multiple forms of authentication and provides a future-proof growth plan enabling additional identity assurance capabilities from ECMWF as required. Didier Garcon, network analyst at ECMWF, explains: "Our old tokens expired in just three years, which means there is an almost constant need to replace and distribute them to new users. Because those users are based in nearly 40 different remote locations, the administrative cost involved in setting up new user profiles along with the token price was becoming prohibitively expensive. Our users also found the older generation tokens difficult to use, which further increased the amount of administrative time required to manage the system." Andy Bryars, business development manager at Sysec, says: "We recommended ActivIdentity whose cost-effective tokens have a life time replacement warranty. ECMWF has started to roll out the solution to around 1,000 users and has received only positive feedback from these users." Marc Hudavert, vice-president and general manager at ActivIdentity EMEA, adds: "As the vast majority of people that need access to ECMWF's computers and data are not actually employed by the organisation, a secure route to authorised resources is essential. Our goal is to provide an open standards identity assurance solution that will meet the needs of ECMWF now and in the future." After conducting a comprehensive competitive evaluation, ECMWF selected the ActivIdentity/Sysec proposal, which includes the ActivIdentity 4TRESS(TM) AAA Server plus ActivIdentity Keychain Tokens that generate a random one-time password for strong authentication to their systems. The ActivIdentity strong authentication solution suite will be rolled out to an additional 2,000 users over the coming months, with the older, proprietary solution being gradually phased out. As a result, the need for regular replacement tokens will be eliminated. The ActivIdentity solution is secure, reliable and cost effective. Further information on the ActivIdentity solution deployed by ECMWF can be found at Strong http://www.actividentity.com/solutions/technology/sa__overview.php Authentication Solutions. The lifetime replacement warranty for tokens is available to customers who also purchase the ActivIdentity 4TRESS AAA Server support and maintenance. About ECMWF The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is an independent international organisation supported by 18 Member States: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Portugal, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom. We have concluded co-operation agreements with: Czech Republic, Estonia, Iceland, Croatia, Lithuania, Hungary, Morocco, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia. Originally a COST (European Co-operation in Science and Technology) project, the Centre was established in 1975 when its Convention entered into force. The first real-time medium-range forecasts were made in June 1979. The Centre has been producing operational medium-range weather forecasts since 1 August 1979. For further information, please visit: http://www.ecmwf.int (http://www.actividentity.com/en/newsroom/www.ecmwf.int). About ActivIdentity ActivIdentity(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ACTI) is the trusted provider of identity assurance solutions for the enterprise, government, healthcare, and financial services markets worldwide. The company provides the only fully-integrated platform enabling organizations to issue, manage and use identity devices and credentials for secure access, secure communications, legally binding digital transactions, as well as intelligent citizen services. ActivIdentity customers experience multiple benefits including increased network security, protection against identity theft and online fraud, enhanced workforce productivity, business process efficiencies, and regulatory compliance. ActivIdentity solutions include Smart http://www.actividentity.com/solutions/industry/smart_employee_id.php Employee ID, Enterprise http://www.actividentity.com/solutions/technology/esso__overview.php Single Sign On, Strong http://www.actividentity.com/solutions/technology/sa__overview.php Authentication, Secure http://www.actividentity.com/solutions/technology/sit__overview.php Information and Transactions, and Smart http://www.actividentity.com/solutions/industry/government_scic.php Citizen ID. More than 15 million users and 4,000 customers worldwide rely on solutions from ActivIdentity. Headquartered in Fremont, Calif., the company has development centers in the United States, Australia, France, and sales and service centers in more than ten countries. For more information, visit http://www.actividentity.com. Forward-Looking Statements Safe Harbor The statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include risks relating to changes to our management team, the integration of acquired business and technologies, and other risks identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Copies of these filings are available from the Company and on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Actual results, events and performance may differ materially from our forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. ActivIdentity and ActivCard are registered trademarks in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners in the United States and/or other countries. ActivIdentity and ActivCard are registered trademarks in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners in the United States and/or other countries. Web site: http://www.actividentity.com http://www.ecmwf.int
