Apr, 2003 : VeriSign, nCipher Debut Hardware-Based SSL

📅 April 8, 2003 - Digital trust services provider VeriSign Inc. (VeriSign.com) and IT cryptographic security provider nCipher plc (ncipher.com) announced on Monday that they have launched the Hardware Protected SSL Certificate, a new SSL server certificate providing protection against data theft and Web site spoofing.

The new offering, say the companies, is the first SSL certificate available that assures the private key will be protected in FIPS-validated cryptographic hardware, providing a stronger level of authentication. Companies implementing the Hardware Protected SSL Certificate will be able to demonstrate proof of their advanced security by displaying a gold VeriSign Secure Site Seal on their Web sites.
Initial target markets for the Hardware Protected SSL Certificate, say the companies, include organizations in the financial services, government and healthcare industries, which are responsible for handling sensitive data transmitted over the Internet.
"VeriSign is committed to providing solutions that enable companies of all sizes to conduct communications and commerce with confidence and providing an even higher level of security for our certificates via FIPS validated hardware certainly advances that goal," said Mike Foley, vice president for commerce and content at VeriSign. "Because of their FIPS expertise we chose nCipher hardware to protect the Hardware Protected SSL Certificate that is aimed specifically at organisations that want to take the extra steps necessary to show their customers that they, too, take trusted commerce and communications seriously."