Yubico And CloudPassage Bring Easy, Secure Two-Factor Authentication To Cloud Servers

PRESS RELEASE

PALO ALTO, Calif. and STOCKHOLM, Feb. 2, 2012 – Yubico, the leading provider of simple, open online identity protection, today announced a partnership with CloudPassage designed to deliver strong, secure authentication and protection of administrative network access in the cloud.

CloudPassage, the leading cloud server security provider, required a strong two-factor authentication mechanism for the CloudPassage Halo platform to protect access to servers in public clouds. Halo users needed a fast, effective, and reliable solution that could be deployed as quickly as Halo itself. After evaluating other authentication solutions, the company chose the YubiKey', Yubico’s unique one-time password (OTP) USB key, as the centerpiece of the Halo GhostPorts two-factor authentication solution.

CloudPassage selected the YubiKey authentication solution for its robust design without a battery and its ease of management. The USB key is a key component of Halo GhostPorts, a security feature that enables GhostPorts users to protect remote access to cloud servers with powerful, dynamic network access control using two-factor authentication.

GhostPorts allows systems administrators to temporarily open up a server management port for a designated adminstrator with the Yubikey to provide very tight access control. With GhostPorts, users can gain authorized access to their cloud servers from anywhere, easily and securely. Together with the YubiKey, customers are protected with two-factor authentication that is easy to manage, while keeping their servers secure in dynamic cloud environments.

“Security is a paramount concern for companies making the move to the cloud, and it’s our job to give our customers confidence that their servers are protected,” said Rand Wacker, vice president of product management for CloudPassage. “Through our partnership with Yubico, we’re enforcing cloud server access control with two lines of authentication without sacrificing the flexibility and ease-of-use they require and expect of the cloud.”

Manufactured in Sweden, the YubiKey is a hardware authentication token that looks like a small USB memory stick. The USB token simplifies the process of logging in with a OTP and can be used by cloud services, organizations and end users that require secure access for IT applications, including e-mail, VPN, Windows login, disc encryption and Web single sign-on. The YubiKey is practically indestructible and fits easily on a keychain. It works on all computers and platforms without the need for installing client software.

“Yubico is pleased to be selected as the two-factor authentication technology for securing innovative and thriving cloud services such as Halo GhostPorts from CloudPassage,” said Stina Ehrensvard, CEO and Founder of Yubico.

For more information, please visit yubico.com and cloudpassage.com.

About CloudPassage

CloudPassage is the leading cloud server security provider, and creator of Halo™, the industry's first and only security and compliance platform, purpose-built for elastic cloud environments. Halo supports cloud server bursting, cloning, and migration and operates across public, private, and hybrid cloud environments. Industry-leading companies like Foursquare, StrongMail and Exois trust Halo to seamlessly manage their server security configuration, host-based firewalls, intrusion detection, and server account auditing from one system. Headquartered in San Francisco, Calif., CloudPassage is backed by Benchmark Capital. Gartner, Inc. named CloudPassage one of four "Cool Vendors in Cloud Security Services, 2011." For more information, please visit: CloudPassage.com.

About Yubico

Yubico is the leading provider of simple, open online identity protection. The company’s flagship product, the YubiKey', uniquely combines driverless USB hardware with open source software. More than a million users in 100 countries rely on the YubiKey for online identity protection with simple and secure access to computers, networks and online services. Customers range from individual Internet users to e-governments and Fortune 500 companies. Founded in 2007, Yubico is privately held with offices in California, Sweden and UK. For more information, please visit yubico.com.