SafeSign is the offering from Thales and is a server that can be installed onto several different operating systems, including Windows, Solaris, Linux and HP-UX. The application provides two-factor authentication through the use of a Thales calculator-style token, which includes a slot for a smart card or for any standard token from other manufacturers. The key components of this product are the centralized logging, centralized management, reporting and self-password reset through the use of the identity management console.
The application is quite complex and uses a large number of modules and components to achieve a wide array of features. One of the most useful features of the SafeSign product is the ability to operate as a Radius server and provide authentication to industry standard Radius devices, applications and protocols.
The installation of SafeSign is far more complex than the installation of most other two-factor authentication products. Since the product is closely aligned with identity management features, the installation mirrored the install of those sorts of products. With all of the modules and components to install, this product would do better as an appliance as opposed to a software installation.
Documentation is in the form of searchable and indexed PDF files, which are very well done. We could find what we were looking for in the 231-page installation and configuration guide quickly and easily.
Support options are primarily through phone support. A web portal exists, but SafeSign is not a drop down choice, and the web support is not knowledge- or FAQ-based. Rather, it appears
that it is a piece of the PDF-based documentation. Support pricing for standard support is 20 percent of list price in the first year and 16 percent in subsequent years. Support can be upgraded to 24/7 support for an additional fee.
The pricing for SafeSign, which starts at $30,000, is at the high end of the spectrum and is more in line with pricing and models for that of identity management.
