HID Global releases Crescendo Mobile smart card

HID Global released the Crescendo Mobile smart card to bring convenience to security for accessing computer, network or cloud applications. The new HID mobile smart card utilizes digital certificates on users’ mobile devices for client authentication.

HID Crescendo Mobile provides organizations seeking to eliminate passwords with a solution that combines the security of physical authenticators with the usability of a mobile solution. Crescendo Mobile works similarly to, and is compatible with, secure Crescendo smart cards; however, rather than inserting a separate device into a contact smart card reader, it connects to a desktop computer via an NFC (near-field communication) reader or Bluetooth.

“End users and IT personnel alike have been clamoring for a highly secure solution for enabling secure access to networked assets that can utilize what people are already carrying, namely their mobile devices,” said Brad Jarvis, Vice President & Managing Director, IAM Solutions, with HID Global.

“A key to ensuring security protocols are followed is to ensure that they are as easy to use as possible. The ubiquity of mobile phones, tablets and the like make them an obvious choice to become part of the security system.”

Just as convenience is added to the user experience, the deployment of HID Crescendo Mobile is simple. The Crescendo Mobile app can be downloaded onto Android or iOS devices and the IT team can distribute cryptographic credentials to users without the need or expense of shipping smart cards or smart card readers. The solution is cost-effective to deploy for contractors and remote users.

Usage scenarios for HID Crescendo Mobile include:

• Allowing a user to log on and unlock a Windows workstation to access cloud applications, VPNs, desktop applications and Microsoft Active Directory.
• When the user walks away, Crescendo Mobile App locks the workstation down.
• End users can use their phone to carry the keys and digital certificates needed to digitally sign email, Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat documents.
• Ensure sensitive data by requiring the phone to access encrypted email messages or files using Windows EFS file encryption.

The Crescendo Mobile app is available for Android 7 or later in Google Play and for iOS 11 or later in iTunes App Store. Crescendo Mobile is part of HID’s authentication solution that includes ActivID Credential Management System, providing full lifecycle management of both the authenticators and the credentials protected by the authenticator.