Google apps will be protected by Arcot software smartcard

We are following carefully what is going on on this side for obvious reason, so the news that Arcot technology was selected to optionally deliver strong authentication to business customers accessing google apps is certainly something to watch.

Why in browser single sign on matters ?

As those days , it happens that we visit frequently the topic of in browser single sign on , we think interesting to clarify why we see value in such technology. The two main benefits that single sign on can deliver are :

• Help maintaining diversity of the web ecosystem
• Ease securing web applications

Maintaining biodiversity in the web ecosystem :

The lake of easy registration/sign on accross the large number of applications that are currently being maintained on the web , renders difficult the emergence of second movers.

InfoCard/CardSpace getting the big picture …

Recent posts on this blog suggest our interest in “open” in browser single sign on systems. As a result we have been discussing briefly perceived strengths and weaknesses of yahoo BBAuth and emerging OpenId standards. Regarding OpenId , it has appeared to us that the enthousiasm of the community is unfortunatly not backed by sufficient technology to make the system applicable in the context of the wild open Internet. The recent announcement that CardSpace and OpenId are engaging into a mariage allow microsoft to capitalize on the buzz created by OpenId. We now see OpenId as a void shell (a remarkable online marketing success though …) , the stringent question that remains to be addressed is what is the value of this CardSpace stuff ?