Schlumberger Announces Launch of New Thin Client Authentication Solution

New Security Solution Provides Smart Card Login to Citrix MetaFrame Sessions

Schlumberger Network Solutions, a business unit of Schlumberger Ltd (NYSE:SLB), today announced the launch of a unique security solution, which permits smart card login to Citrix(R) MetaFrame(R) sessions and provides strong authentication to thin client sessions at the server side.

Servers in "dumb terminal" environments do not recognize client-side devices, such as floppy drives or readers, and current smart card systems generally do little more than store passwords on the card and authenticate to the client device. In contrast, the Schlumberger-engineered solution allows end-users to authenticate to Windows 2000 servers using native Microsoft certificates in MetaFrame environments, whether from desktops, laptops or thin client terminals.

"In light of the increasing attention given to security and total cost of ownership by IT managers and CIOs, we project companies will increasingly turn to smart cards and thin client solutions," said Xavier Flinois, president of Schlumberger Network Solutions. "Schlumberger has developed a solution that will allow companies to leverage their investments in smart cards, terminals and Windows 2000."

A smart card is a credit card-sized device with an embedded microcomputer smaller than a postage stamp. These microcomputers are extremely secure and considered ideal places to store valuable data, such as digital certificates, private keys and/or electronic cash. Because of their size, smart cards are highly portable and can be kept in wallets along with other important cards. At the same time, they eliminate the need for, and provide better security than, passwords.

"Over the past year we have seen a substantial increase in the use of smart cards as network authentication devices," said Gary Yamamoto, vice president of Information Security at Schlumberger Network Solutions. "Companies are tired of the high support costs for passwords. Our studies show that passwords cost about $100 per-user, per-year, while smart cards cost about $10 per-user, per year. The launch of this unique smart card solution for thin clients will allow companies to broaden their card deployments to include a whole new range of devices."


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