With the VIP Authentication Network, the ABA will offer its Fingerprint Program users an added layer of protection when accessing the ABA's National FBI Fingerprint Service. The ABA joined the VIP Network as part of VeriSign's QuickStart program, which offers new network members up to 5,000 free VIP
credentials.

Users of the ABA's National FBI Fingerprint Service will be able to access the ABA's Secure Internet Results Service (SIRS) for accessing fingerprint results in a secure manner through a special VIP security credential that generates a one-time password (OTP) for every sign-on. During an online session, this password is entered into the SIRS's log-in user interface along with the user's usual account name and password. When the ABA verifies the OTP and matches it to the user, clients achieve strong -- or two-factor -- authentication.

Around the world, leading businesses have joined the VIP Network to provide end-users with identity safeguards that go beyond standard secure log-ins. Membership in the VIP Network allows the users of the ABA's National FBI Fingerprint Service to use the same VIP credentials on various other network members' sites, including AOL, eBay, PayPal, Morgan Street Document Systems and others.

"The ABA National FBI Fingerprint Service is serious about security," said C. Diane Poole, SVP at ABA. "We needed another layer of authentication, and we selected VIP for its ease-of-use and ease of deployment. We hope our fingerprint system clients also see this as a convenient way to protect their accounts and join in to fight against online fraud."

The unique VIP Network allows consumers to use a single security device to authenticate themselves across any VIP-enabled Web site. This makes it more convenient for users to adopt two-factor authentication into their online routine. For financial institutions and other online businesses, joining the VIP Network helps distribute the costs of stronger authentication, thus accelerating its inevitable acceptance in the global marketplace.

"To protect critically private data such as fingerprints, logging in with just a user name and password simply isn't strong enough anymore," said Kerry Loftus, vice president of Consumer Authentication Solutions at VeriSign. "By joining the VIP Network, ABA is taking a strategic step to ensure its fingerprint system clients have a safe, secure and convenient environment in which to do business online."

The VeriSign Identity Protection Quick Start program is an initiative designed to accelerate adoption of two-factor authentication by emphasizing the consumer convenience of a shared authentication network such as the VIP Network. Through the program, which runs through Sept. 30, VeriSign will provide up to 5,000 free credentials to each new enterprise that joins the VIP Network.