News Brief

Novell Simplifies, Secures Password Management with Novell SecureLogin 2.5

  • Novell SecureLogin, available today, is new password management software that can dramatically reduce administration costs and help desk calls and enhance network security
  • Novell SecureLogin improves on the benefits offered by Novell Single Sign-on by extending password management to terminal emulator applications, Citrix/terminal server environments and Telnet applications
  • Brought to market in partnership with software firm Protocom, Novell SecureLogin is available today to Novell's licensing program customers, with broader distribution coming later this year
PROVO, UT — Aug. 1, 2001 — Novell, Inc., a leader in eBusiness solutions and Net services software, today announced the availability of Novell® SecureLogin 2.5, new password management software that can dramatically reduce administration costs and help desk calls and enhance network security. Novell SecureLogin improves on the benefits offered by Novell Single Sign-on by extending password management to terminal emulator applications, Citrix*/terminal server environments and Telnet applications, common in many of today's large enterprises. Brought to market in partnership with software firm Protocom, Novell SecureLogin is available today to Novell's licensing program customers, with broader distribution coming later this year.

Password management is one of the most consistent obstacles to productivity organizations encounter, regardless of their size or business. As reported in Giga Information Group's IdeaByte™ entitled "Password Reset Software Can Reduce Help Desk Costs," consider this scenario: "A support organization servicing 20,000 employees receives an average of 3,000 help desk calls each month, 30 percent of which are related to password resets. With each password-reset incident costing $32.50 to $57.50, the company would incur support costs of $351,000 to $621,000 for forgotten password requests each year."

How It Works
With Novell SecureLogin, usernames and passwords are encrypted and hidden in NDS® eDirectory™, where only the user can access them. To access network resources and applications, a user logs in only once, to eDirectory. Thereafter, each time that user launches an application, Novell SecureLogin automatically retrieves the appropriate username and password and supplies them to the application being launched. This process bolsters network security by eliminating practices like writing multiple passwords on office notepads or storing them in local files. Novell SecureLogin can also handle situations where an application's password has expired - the software will automatically generate and submit a new password to the application.

Novell SecureLogin 2.5 offers users the following advanced features:

  • Single sign-on to virtually all Windows*, Web, mainframe/terminal emulator, Citrix and Telnet applications
  • Automated wizards that help users automatically set up applications or allow administrators to perform this function for users
  • Connected or disconnected use for remote users
  • Integration with Novell Modular Authentication Services (NMAS™) supports advanced authentication abilities, such as biometrics, smart cards, tokens, digital certificates and proximity cards
  • Built-in SNMP monitoring, allowing administrators to track events such as application logins and performance measurements (e.g., how long did it take a user to log into an application)
  • Integration with Novell Directory Services® version 4 and above, including NDS eDirectory 8.x
  • Flexible application integration tools, which allow customization of how Novell SecureLogin 2.5 works with applications. This flexibility allows Novell SecureLogin to manage application passwords even in unique circumstances, such as specialized terminal emulators, legacy DOS applications or applications with multiple login screens.
"Novell SecureLogin adds range and depth to the applications and environments that can be supported by a single sign-on solution from Novell," said Paul Smart, vice president and general manager of Novell's Net Directory business. "This product allows customers to tie the authentication of enterprise systems like terminal emulators, Citrix servers and Telnet to eDirectory. That centralized password management simplifies access for users, enhances security and allows company IT administrators to focus on more strategic initiatives than resetting passwords. Single password access to all relevant company applications regardless of their location on the network is an key proof point of Novell's one Net vision."

Availability and Pricing
Novell SecureLogin 2.5 is available today to Novell's licensing program customers, with broader distribution coming later this year. The product's price is $79 per user, with a $49 per user promotional price available until Oct. 31, 2001.

Novell, NDS and Novell Directory Services are registered trademarks, and eDirectory is a trademark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. *All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Press Contacts:
Shawn Dickerson
Novell, Inc.
Phone: (801) 861-2932
E-mail: sdickerson@novell.com