[107583] in Cypherpunks
ArcotSign Software Smartcard
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Marlin Gilbert)
Mon Jan 18 17:18:21 1999
Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 14:01:59 -0800
From: Marlin Gilbert <marlin@arcot.com>
To: cypherpunks@cyberpass.net
Reply-To: Marlin Gilbert <marlin@arcot.com>
I write to follow up on Dr. Douglas Hoover's presentation at the Bay
Area Cypherpunks Meeting on Saturday, January 16th at the San Jose
Convention Center. Doug tells me that there were questions on our
choice of the term "software smartcard" in our marketing materials.
Here is why we believe that it is an appropriate term for our
technology.
(a) Security: Arcot's software smartcard offers the same level of
protection as the storage smartcard but entirely in software. Crypto
smartcards have the additional protection that the private key never
leaves the card. However, even crypto smartcards are subject to the
attack where the user signs documents unwittingly.
(b) Portability: Given the increased level of security offered by
Arcot's software container, it is possible to support roaming users by
delivering credentials on demand. Furthermore, the Arcot software
container can be placed on any storage medium, including magnetic stripe
cards.
(c) Installation/Administrative Cost: Software smartcards are cheaper
than their hardware companions.
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Marlin Gilbert
Vice President, Business Development
Arcot Systems
2197 East Bayshore Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303-3219
Telephone: 650.470.8210
Facsimile: 650.470.8208
Cellular: 650.533.8993
Pager: 650.849.9131
Electronic Mail: mailto:marlin@arcot.com
Website: http://www.arcot.com
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