Microsoft's Deal For Alacris Is In The (Smart) Cards

The Redmond, Wash., software giant announced last week it would acquire Ottawa-based Alacris, whose idNexus 3.0 for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 provides extended life-cycle management for digital certificates, smart cards and USB token-based identity solutions.

Microsoft will try to ease the process of provisioning smart card hardware, managing digital certificates, handling certificate revocation and auditing user activity in Windows environments with the Alacris code. The company plans to release a beta of Alacris& technology, said Michael Atalla, group product manager for Microsoft&s Windows Security Division. Whether the code will be integrated directly into Windows remains unclear.

Microsoft has revealed its ambitious plans for enhancing identity access, Active Directory Federation, and PKI and smart card integration in Windows Vista and Windows Longhorn server. It also recently said it is developing a Security Token Service for its InfoCard technology that will be delivered for the Windows server after Longhorn ships.

Partners believe Microsoft&s endorsement will bring identity management and smart card use to the masses.

“Smart card technology will be something Microsoft will evangelize and may even push into the mainstream development stack. That will change the whole ball game,” said Andrew Brust, chief of new technology at Citigate Hudson, New York. “The acquisition will likely accelerate such deployments, while at the same time increasing [Microsoft&s] credibility in the domain of security and secure systems,” Brust added.

“Microsoft is giving solution providers more options to provide their customers with security solutions tied to a common Windows operating environment,” said Paul Freeman, president of Coast Solutions Group, Irvine, Calif. “For partners, having an integrated smart card solution would mean one less manufacturer to manage and one less bolt-on solution that they have to contend with.”