-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- I thought the folloing would in interesting. It looks similar to what SLED whanted to do. Would be interested to see what their method of verification is. - ------------- [Begin forwarded message ] VeriSign Introduces the First Online Digital ID Issuing Service; Users Get Unique Digital IDs to meet the Security Needs of Commerce and Communications REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 18, 1995--VeriSign today announced the World Wide Web's first Online Digital ID Issuing Service. Being released in conjunction with Netscape Navigator 2.0, this service will allow users to directly enroll and receive their own unique Digital IDs. VeriSign defined today the class structure of its Digital ID brand of public identification certificates, establishing four classes of identification to meet the varying security needs within different environments. The service will begin Beta testing in late October. A company or a consumer will be able to get a unique Digital ID online through VeriSign's Online Digital ID Issuing Service located on the World Wide Web. A user can register for a non-commercial Class One Digital ID at no cost, or a commercial version for $6, through an online autoresponder. This unique Class One Digital ID is designed for casual World Wide Web browsing and secure e-mail and is used by Netscape Navigator 2.0 to allow users to communicate securely and identify themselves to other users, as well as merchants on the Internet. "The Online digital ID Issuing Service was created to provide a one-step process for obtaining a Digital ID for our corporate and individual users," said Stratton Sclavos, President and CEO of VeriSign, Inc. "We are offering non-commercial users Class One Digital IDs at no cost to introduce the concepts of authentication and privacy to the market. We will also offer higher classes online using higher assurance policies. We believe Digital IDs will help everyone in the online community safely conduct their business or personal transactions over public and private networks." Public identification certificates Working closely with application developers, service providers and affiliates, VeriSign issues and manages multiple classes of Digital IDs supporting a wide range of public identification certificate-enabled products like Netscape Navigator 2.0. VeriSign's public identification certificates can be issued for individuals as well as entities such as merchant servers. These public identification certificates, categorized into four classes with escalating levels of identity assurance, can be obtained from VeriSign directly or through the Online Digital ID Issuing Service. Class One Digital IDs: These IDs insure the uniqueness of a name or e-mail address. Class One Digital IDs are primarily used for casual World Wide Web browsing and secure e-mail. VeriSign offers non-commercial Class One Digital IDs at no cost or VeriSign supported commercial versions for $6. Class Two Digital IDs: These IDs provide a higher level of assurance regarding a person's identity by involving third-party proof of name, address and other personal information provided in the registration process. Class Two Digital IDs are primarily used for inter-company e-mail, online purchasing from electronic malls and online subscriptions. Class Three Digital IDs: These IDs further raise the level of identity assurance by involving personal presence or registered credentials. Class Three Digital IDs are used primarily for transactions demanding a higher level of assurance of the identity of an individual. Typical applications include electronic banking, large-sum purchases from electronic malls and membership-based online services. VeriSign additionally offers Class Three Digital IDs for electronic commerce servers such as Netscape's Commerce Server and Open Market's Secure WebServer. Class Four Digital IDs: These IDs are for individuals and companies requiring a maximum level of identity assurance. To obtain these IDs, the individual and/or organizations they represent is more thoroughly investigated and personal presence is required. Typical applications include access to confidential information, authorization to trade financial securities, and access to corporate databases. VeriSign is the only company 100% committed to the digital authentication market. Home banking, electronic payments, and subscription based services are some of the areas in which VeriSign is working, with clients that include NASA, TRW, Netscape and Apple. VeriSign's public identification certificates offer multiple levels of identity assurance. In addition, VeriSign is extending its certificate issuing technology to include new X.509 version 3 format, which greatly expands the flexibility and capability of Digital IDs. Navigator 2.0 users will be the first customers to receive version 3 compatible Digital IDs. Being X.509 compliant, VeriSign can include authorization parameters in a Digital ID allowing both corporate and individual users to customize them according to their electronic commerce and communications needs. X.509 certificates are becoming the internationally recognized standard form of "I.D." on public and private networks. Pricing and Availability Netscape Navigator 2.0 users will be able to download Class One Digital IDs from VeriSign's new Online Digital ID Issuing Service on the World Wide Web beginning in late October. Non-commercial Class One Digital IDs will be offered at no cost, or if users desire a VeriSign supported commercial version, the cost is $6 annually. Class Two Digital IDs are available for $12 annually. Class Three Digital IDs are available for an individual for $24 annually. Corporate site license discounts are available. Class Three Digital IDs for an entity such as a corporate server are available for $290 for the first Digital ID and $95 for additional IDs at the same site annually. To obtain pricing on Class Four Digital IDs users should contact VeriSign directly. VeriSign, Inc. VeriSign provides Digital ID products and services for the electronic commerce marketplace. VeriSign's Digital IDs play a key role in ensuring the privacy and authentication of electronic transactions and communications. VeriSign, founded in 1995 as a spin-off of RSA Data Security, is working with its investors including Ameritech and Visa International, and partners such as Netscape and Apple, to open the digital marketplace to all consumers. VeriSign's goal is to provide consumers with the confidence necessary to conduct electronic commerce worldwide. For more information, contact VeriSign at 415-508-1151, or visit their Web sit at http://www.verisign.com. Note to Editors: Copyright 1995 VeriSign, Inc. 100 Marine Parkway, Redwood City, CA 94065. All rights reserved. VeriSign is a service mark and trademark of VeriSign, Inc. Digital ID, Providing Driver License for the Information Superhighway and Certificate Issuing System are all trademarks of VeriSign, Inc. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners. CONTACT: VeriSign Inc. Web Augustine, 415/508-1151 web@verisign.com or Niehaus Ryan Haller Public Relations Marcos Sanchez, 415/615-7912 marcos@nrh.com 07:35 ET SEP 18, 1995 -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.7.1 iQCVAwUBMF3nBFzvpSsKhLftAQHBSQP+PCmXw9P2EWjweTIWoT65BYKgmhnxZbx0 Ig0Zi7dVgFS+dIAxTnc23p4BBBapfZMrN2Ho/zhm7csPB4+XQ65y+vDVlDH8ehvA d/b7gAtsE9tOe1YglNeeNaxba/xB2OuGN6XJHH2A8wojIPw7ALK66XMPJ6YGn24T N7eychxo61A= =xgjH -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- ... __o .. -\<, Chris.Claborne@SanDiegoCA.ATTGIS.Com ...(*)/(*). CI$: 76340.2422 http://bordeaux.sandiegoca.attgis.com/ PGP Pub Key fingerprint = A8 FA 55 92 23 20 72 69 52 AB 64 CC C7 D9 4F CA Avail on Pub Key server. PGP-encrypted e-mail welcome!