news_SQUARE ENIX first to deploy Strong Authentication for Online Game User Authentication in Japan
OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill., and ZURICH, Switzerland, March 31, 2009 -- VASCO Data Security International, Inc. (Nasdaq: VDSI) (www.vasco.com), a leading software security company specializing in authentication products, announced today that its DIGIPASS® GO6 and VACMAN® Controller strong authentication solution will authenticate users attempting to access the content and services of Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix) including massively multiplayer online role-playing game FINAL FANTASY® XI. Square Enix is a major video game company based in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
FINAL FANTASY XI will be the first online game in Japan to use one-time password security. On April 7, 2009, Square Enix plans to begin offering user authentication using this technology to users who purchase VASCO’s authentication devices.
Research conducted by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, released in February 2009 reported 2,289 cases of fraudulent access to online services during 2008, an increase of about 26% over the previous year. The majority (1,559 cases) were fraud involving online auctions, followed by fraud involving online games (457 cases).
Until now, Square Enix security initiatives included the use of user IDs and fixed passwords, and user education on online security regarding user ID and password management. Square Enix decided to enhance unauthorized access countermeasures by adopting VASCO’s DIGIPASS GO6 & VACMAN strong authentication solution to authenticate users of FINAL FANTASY XI in Japan, North America and Europe.
Square Enix will distribute VASCO’s DIGIPASS GO 6 authenticators which will be used by FINAL FANTASY XI game players when logging in to the game. By using the one-time password (OTP) generated by DIGIPASS for logging in to the game, unauthorized access to the account will be virtually become non-existent and the security of the account will be enhanced considerably. FINAL FANTASY XI can be accessed from console games PlayStation®2 and Xbox 360®, and from Windows® PCs, and users will be able to use the one-time password for access to the game from any of these devices. On the server side, VACMAN Controller, VASCO’s authentication software which is used by many financial organizations worldwide, was adopted.
“In the light of growing concerns about online fraud involving online games, online auctions and online shopping, VASCO believes that over the next few years demand for one-time password solutions to enhance online security will increase significantly, leading to further the market growth for its solutions,” stated Jan Valcke, VASCO’s President and COO.
See http://www.vasco.com/digipass-go6 for a high-resolution picture of DIGIPASS GO6.
To request a photo of the fully customized version for Square Enix, please contact Square Enix.
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About VASCO
VASCO is a leading supplier of strong authentication and e-signature solutions and services specializing in Internet Security applications and transactions. VASCO has positioned itself as global software company for Internet Security serving a customer base of over 8,000 companies in more than 100 countries, including more than 1,200 international financial institutions. VASCO’s prime markets are the financial sector, enterprise security, e-commerce and e-government.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements made in this news release that relate to future plans, events or performances are forward-looking statements. Any statement containing words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intend,” “mean,” and similar words, is forward-looking, and these statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations. Consequently, actual results could differ materially from the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements.
Reference is made to the Company's public filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission for further information regarding the Company and its operations.
This document may contain trademarks of VASCO Data Security International, Inc. and its subsidiaries, which include VASCO, the VASCO “V” design, DIGIPASS, VACMAN, aXs GUARD and IDENTIKEY. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
FINAL FANTASY and SQUARE ENIX are registered trademarks or trademarks of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries.
“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Windows, Xbox and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and are used under license from the owner.
For more information contact:
Jochem Binst, +32 2 609 97 00, [email protected]
Contact for Square Enix:
North America: Sonia Im, +1 310 846 0400, [email protected]: Alex Huhtala, +44 (0) 20 7324 5223, [email protected]