The ASEKey Crypto smart card token, developed by Athena Smartcard Solutions, successfully completed the Microsoft certification program for smart card minidrivers a few days ago. The minidrivers are defined as "device drivers" for smart cards implemented in the Windows Smart Card Framework. Vendors which want to implement such minidrivers may choose to have theirs certified by Microsoft, ensuring, for the first time, that smart cards that are certified provide the best compatibility experience for Windows customers.

The company tested with Microsoft's Dublin-based Smart Card Certification Center to certify a card minidriver that match the required quality level of the forthcoming Windows logo program for smart card minidrivers. Athena's ASEKey Crypto is a smart card based token, powered by Athena's performance leading ASEPCOS Cryptographic Smart Card Operating System.

    The smart card token offers secure two-factor authentication as well as full cryptographic capabilities for PKI, providing RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) support in the Windows Vista environment. The company already sold successful customer deployment of its Windows Vista compatible products which include Contact and Dual Interface (contact/contactless) Smart Cards, Tokens, and performance leading smart card readers.

    David B. Cross, director of program management for Windows Security at Microsoft Corporation, stated: "We are delighted to see that Athena ASEKey Crypto smart card based tokens have successfully completed the program for the certification program of the new Windows Smart Card Framework. Athena's new ASEKey Crypto smart card token is yet another example of how the Windows Smart Card Framework enhances the security and user experience in Windows Vista. Smart cards are proving to be the first choice for authentication devices used in secure network access. Deploying smart cards in the enterprise is made even easier by the Windows Smart Card Framework and Athena's ASEPCOS powered ASEKey smart card tokens," said Jochi Fuchs, vice president, business development, Athena. "Successfully exiting the pilot quality program for smart card minidrivers reinforces Athena's commitment to provide fast and more secure Windows-compatible smart card based solutions for enterprise and government customer. By providing the new ASEKey minidriver we are widening the range of smart card form factor choices for customers of Athena's Unified Badge secure logical and physical access solution."

    Enterprises that implement Microsoft Windows Server 2003 based computer networks looking for a single smart card based employee/customer/partner badge represent the fastest growing market for Athena's Unified Badge smart cards and tokens. These solutions allow for both logical access to computer networks and physical access to modules and services. They allow seamless integration of smart card based authentication solutions, with optional biometrics support, in large computer networks and government identity card deployments.

For more information you can visit http://www.athena-scs.com