VeriSign will provide authentication and security technologies supporting future .NET offerings under a new alliance formed with Microsoft.
The Internet trust services provider will also integrate its personal trust agent technology with Microsoft’s single sign-on and secure messaging ‘Passport’ authentication technology, as well as support the current ‘Hailstorm’ .NET services, according to VeriSign president and ceo Stratton Sclavos.
“VeriSign and Microsoft are working together to make the foundation for web-based services including online transactions more secure,” Sclavos said.
“Customers will see the benefits of our joint efforts through a set of new services that facilitate secure storage and access of consumer and business information, online collaboration and workflow management and e-commerce transaction processing.”
The ‘Hailstorm’ notification technology is a set of user-centric XML-based web services that will enable developers to build more personalised Internet solutions offering a consistent user experience, Microsoft said in a statement.
Under the alliance, developers using ‘Hailstorm’ services to develop applications will now use VeriSign’s server digital certificates to verify and manage relationships between them and Microsoft.
The server digital certificates ensure that information sent via smart clients stays private and confidential through the use of high-strength encryption.