Switching Places Susquehanna Bancshares Implements Entrust Tokens for Enterprise Authentication

Switching Places ... Susquehanna Bancshares Implements Entrust Tokens for Enterprise Authentication

Large financial institution attracted to cost-effectiveness, interoperability of Entrust IdentityGuard

DALLAS, Dec. 4 -- Susquehanna Bancshares places a priority on securing access to corporate resources and safeguarding sensitive information via cost-effective strong authentication. Recently, the Pennsylvania-based financial institution sought those same vital capabilities at a lower cost. In turn, they moved from high-priced one-time-passcode (OTP) hardware tokens to Entrust, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENTU) , and Entrust IdentityGuard hardware tokens -- key components of a strong layered security model.

"We've always enjoyed the strength of hardware tokens, but now we're able to leverage those same authentication capabilities but at a much lower price point from Entrust," said Rod Lefever, SVP and Chief Technology Officer at Susquehanna Bancshares. "And while the cost-savings were the key differentiators, the versatility of Entrust IdentityGuard to solve future security challenges, as well as the ability to be interoperable with our displaced tokens, will help meet authentication requirements as our business grows."

As part of the rollout, Entrust assisted with the deployment of the Entrust IdentityGuard versatile authentication platform -- the foundation for the OTP token -- to help authenticate remote Susquehanna employees who leverage VPN applications to access corporate networks and resources.

"Entrust provided Susquehanna one-of-a-kind value as we were able to migrate 350 competitor tokens for use in Entrust IdentityGuard -- a smart, cost-savings tactic," said Entrust President and CEO Bill Conner. "We applaud Susquehanna for keeping their hardware token investment working for them while exploring a more cost-effective platform from which to leverage additional authentication methods as needed."

Susquehanna, which currently is migrating employees to the new platform, plans to include authentication to Microsoft Outlook Web Access (OWA) via hardware tokens by the close of 2008.

Entrust IdentityGuard enables organizations to layer security -- according to access requirements or the risk of a given transaction -- across diverse users and applications. The platform's authentication options include username and password, IP-geolocation, device, questions and answers, out-of-band one-time passcode (delivered via voice, SMS or e-mail), grid cards, eGird cards and a range of one-time-passcode tokens. Entrust IdentityGuard also provides multiple methods of supporting mutual authentication, including picture and caption replay.

Susquehanna is a regional financial services holding company, which includes three commercial banks that provide financial services at more than 230 branch locations in the Mid-Atlantic region. Through Susquehanna Wealth Management, the company offers investment, fiduciary, brokerage, insurance, retirement planning and private banking services. Susquehanna also operates an insurance and employee benefits company, a commercial finance company and a vehicle leasing company.

About Entrust

Entrust [NASDAQ: ENTU] secures digital identities and information for consumers, enterprises and governments in more than 2,000 organizations spanning 60 countries. Leveraging a layered security approach to address growing risks, Entrust solutions help secure the most common digital identity and information protection pain points in an organization. These include SSL, authentication, fraud detection, shared data protection and e-mail security. For information, call 888-690-2424, e-mail entrust at entrust.com or visit http://www.entrust.com/.

Entrust is a registered trademark of Entrust, Inc. in the United States and certain other countries. In Canada, Entrust is a registered trademark of Entrust Limited. All Entrust product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of Entrust, Inc. or Entrust Limited. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.