Raiffeisen is the first Austrian banking group that offers digital strong authentication devices almost everywhere across Austria. Rollout started at the beginning 2012 after a comprehensive internal test and training period.

The Ezio Edge Optic leverages the security of CardTAN-compliant debit cards to authenticate users, as well as authorize and sign online banking transactions. The handheld device features optical sensors to detect the online banking transaction data entered and sent from the PC screen. Raiffeisen's online customers simply place the Ezio Edge in front of their PC screen and the securely encoded transaction data needed for verification by the user and signature generation are instantly read.

"For us, usability and security always comes first. With our CardTAN-compliant Ezio solution, we are ahead of the curve and once again reinforce our leading position in Austria." says Johannes Schuster, board member of Raiffeisen Zentralbank and responsible for Raiffeisen Group in Austria. Mr Schuster specifically highlights the end-user benefits; "Mobility and flexibility are keywords in our time. Thanks to the portability of the Ezio Edge Optic our customers can conduct their online banking errands wherever and whenever they want, protected by the highest level of security."

"Trust is the most important aspect of the relationship between a financial institution and their end customer," added Håkan Nordfjell, senior vice president eBanking at Gemalto. "Gemalto is pleased to be able to support Raiffeisen in enhancing that trusted relationship by expanding the scope of Internet services with the secure signing of transactions."