USA - Identive Group (www.identive-infrastructure.com) introduced the TouchSecure(R) Desktop Reader, an innovative identity authentication solution that allows enterprise customers to implement secure access to their physical facilities, corporate networks, shared printers and copiers using a single identity credential -- their employees' existing building access cards.

"Every enterprise has its own set of corporate programs for privilege management: to check employees' identity at the door, ensure cyber security and track the use of shared resources. However, these programs are nearly always independent from each other -- and so are the access protocols, resulting in multiple ID cards, passwords and PINs," said John Menzel, vice president Access Control ID Solutions for Identive.

"Our new TouchSecure Desktop Reader enables the use of employee ID cards to manage privileges across the enterprise -- to enter the workplace, securely sign on to corporate networks, secure email, access shared copiers and printers and even pay for food in the company cafeteria. Having a single ID credential to access multiple services is more convenient for employees, easier and more cost effective to manage for organizations and ultimately more secure."

Identive's patent-pending technology enables the TouchSecure Desktop Reader to validate a broad array of disparate ID badges and building access cards, making it possible for enterprises to utilize existing employee ID credentials to access multiple services within an organization.

Connecting the reader via USB to a desktop computer or PC enables two-factor authentication (card and PIN) for single sign-on to the network, which offers higher security than a simple password.

The reader can be connected to shared printers and copiers to restrict and track access so that the costs of using these assets can be managed and charged to the appropriate departments. When used in conjunction with a cash register, the TouchSecure Desktop Reader can be used to process payment transactions in a company cafeteria or store.

The TouchSecure family of readers is based on international standards including ISO14443A/B, which guarantees an open and interoperable platform design that supports current and future chip technologies and card formats. TouchSecure readers support both legacy proximity and newer smart cards, creating a single platform on which OEM and integrators can standardize, eliminating the requirement to support multiple models.

Card technologies and formats supported by the TouchSecure Desktop Reader include proximity - 125 kHz (most major building access formats), NXP MIFARE(R) CSN and ISO 15693 CSN.