IdentityGuard

Authentication with this product occurs at the application level and can be used for easily authenticating web traffic and also mail traffic. This is a software offering that uses a Windows 2003 Advanced Server as the platform on which it resides.

The easiest configuration is to place the Entrust IdentityGuard in front of the web or mail server as the traffic would flow into the organisation.

Appropriate traffic to be authenticated is then intercepted by the device and the user is prompted for the two-factor authentication. Entrust IdentityGuard then relays the information to the back-end system.

Many types of two-factor authentication can be used with this offering, but the one-time-password charts provided with this solution were unique and practical.

The cards are far less expensive than other hardware token solutions, and they provide a unique password every time the user authenticates. The chart cards are credit card-sized so they can be easily placed in a wallet or pocket without adding unnecessary bulk.

The product is pretty straightforward to install and the installation guide that comes in hard copy, as well as in electronic form, provides all the necessary guidance to install the product. Once the product is installed, the administration interface is easy to navigate as it is logically designed. The application installs on Windows Server 2003 and all included modules are installed as the single installer package.

Documentation is available in the form of indexed and searchable PDFs. Support is available from a password-protected secure website, which provides access to a support website. Customer support also includes phone and email support offerings.

At US$8.00 per user, the pricing for the Entrust IdentityGuard is at the extreme low end of products in this Group Test. This makes the value for the money superior and contributed considerably to our Best Buy award.

IdentityGuard has been rated Best Buy.