Arcot Collaborates with Adobe to Bring Digital Signing to Businesses and Consumers

WebKnowHow
Wednesday, September 20, 2006; 02:51 AM

Arcot Systems, Inc. is collaborating with Adobe Systems Incorporated to enable a new option for digital signing in Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader software, using easy-to-use "Roaming Digital IDs." Adobe has embedded Arcot patented technologies into these applications, laying the framework for secure digital signing, without the need for additional software or hardware. Users of Acrobat and Adobe Reader will have an "out-of-the-box" ability to sign PDF documents enabling enterprises to maximize the value of their electronic business process, eliminate the need to "print and sign," and help prevent fraud.

The companies said this marks a significant step forward in simplifying the digital signing process while maintaining a high level of security. The Roaming Digital ID is securely stored in the Arcot SignFort server and directly accessed from Acrobat or Adobe Reader. This allows a person to digitally sign a document at any time; from home, work, or on the road. Arcot's patented ArcotID "software smart card" provides strong, two-factor authentication of the user and controls access to the digital ID verifying that only the authorized person is signing.

This is easier to deploy and more cost-effective than provisioning each user with a smart card and more secure than simply storing the digital ID on a computer's hard drive protected with just a password. SignFort also logs every time a document is signed and provides a complete audit trail for non-repudiation. This capability helps companies comply with regulatory requirements.

"Together, Adobe and Arcot now provide an exceptionally easy-to-use digital signature solution," said John Landwehr, Director, Security Solutions & Strategy at Adobe. "The Roaming Digital ID allows Acrobat 8 and Adobe Reader 8 to be a complete digital signing solution for the desktop without the need for additional client configuration. Simply click, authenticate, and the document is signed."

Early efforts at transforming paper processes to e-paper failed at the "last mile" when approvers lacked digital IDs to sign PDFs. Previously it was difficult to issue and manage the life cycle of digital IDs, and it was difficult to secure digital IDs. This joint Arcot and Adobe solution eliminates the obstacles associated with putting a "digital pen" in the end-users' hands. Now users will be able to sign and return contracts, mortgage papers, approval forms and other business documents in seconds, rather than hours or days. Roaming Digital IDs solve the "last mile" problem by providing secure access to digital credentials anywhere, anytime.

The same ArcotID delivers easy, accessible authentication to consumer and business web portals and provides Financial Institutions with FFIEC compliance and enterprises with secure VPN authentication. The ArcotID with the Arcot WebFort authentication server provides strong twofactor authentication and thwarts Man-in-the-Middle attacks. The ArcotID is protected with patented "Cryptographic Camouflage" preventing brute force attacks. Because the ArcotID behaves like a smart card it not only provides strong authentication but can store digital IDs for applications such as secure e-statement delivery, e-coupon redemption and other applications requiring secure one-to-one communication.