Likewise adds Linux Smart Card Authentication to latest software
14 September, 2010
category: Corporate, Digital ID
Likewise, a provider of software for integrating Linux, Unix, and Mac OS systems with Windows, announced the release of its new Likewise Enterprise 6 software, featuring newly added smart card support and a Microsoft Active Directory (AD) command-line interface (CLI) administration tool for Linux, Unix, and Mac OS.
Likewise joins desktops and servers running Linux, Unix, and Mac OS to an organization’s existing network using AD, providing a single, secure framework for authentication and access control in mixed networks, according to the company.
“Adding smart card support means that enterprise and government customers can extend dual-factor authentication well beyond Windows systems,” said Manny Vellon, CTO at Likewise. “Our new CLI tools mean that experienced Linux and Unix administrators will be able to create scripts to manage and extend Likewise features.”
Smart Card support in Likewise Enterprise 6 addresses demand for dual-factor authentication – especially in government implementations – by requiring both “something you have,” the smart card, and “something you know,” the PIN associated with the card.
This ensures that a lost or stolen card cannot be used for unauthorized access. The smart card uses strong cryptography to provide much greater security than traditional password authentication. By requiring a smart card for user authentication, companies can improve security and address compliance requirements.
Likewise Enterprise 6 (http://www.likewise.com/products/likewiseenterprise/newfeatures.php) also adds an AD CLI tool that can be used for real time administration or in scripts – giving Linux users a more effective way to interact with AD. The command line interface is well-suited for Unix and Linux administrators who prefer a CLI interface and want to create scripts for administration across the enterprise.
Likewise Enterprise includes all the functionality of Likewise Open, an open source toolkit for joining Linux, Unix, and Mac OS systems to Microsoft Active Directory, and adds reporting, auditing, and administration tools that large organizations need.