GlobalSign Fires Up Channel-Ready SSL

July 23, 2007; 07:29 AM
LONDON, UK – GlobalSign (www.globalsign.com), one of the longest established Certification Authorities (CA) and specialists in SSL security, today announced that as part of its Global Agent System (GAS) launch, it has also developed a channel-ready SSL solution designed specifically for SSL resellers, such as hosting companies, internet service providers (ISPs), consultants and integrators.  The SSLs will include all of the features of a GlobalSign SSL certificate but will be available through a management interface designed with the channel in mind.

Marking a complete overhaul of previous systems and setting a new standard of service for the end-user, GAS, is a Software as a Service (SaaS) approach that has been designed from the ground up over the last six months by GlobalSign’s newly formed and recently announced management team.  GAS provides the ability for customers to quickly, simply and conveniently purchase any of GlobalSign’s leading SSL certificates via a comprehensive channel management console. An enterprise version of the solution will also be announced in the near future.

The reseller system includes the ability to buy in bulk on a discounted deposit or PAYG basis, multi-tiered organisation capabilities (to allow resellers to manage their own resellers), and full reporting and audit trail mechanisms.  On top of this, there is an XML-based API, allowing resellers to automate the application, issuance and renewal of certificates without using the web interface.  This feature permits complete integration with hosting control panels and purchasing systems already offered or in use by many resellers.

The new systems will support both standard resellers, for which GlobalSign will continue to complete vetting processes, and a close knit community of Territory Partners, where vetting can potentially be outsourced to take advantage of local language and expertise requirements.  Lastly, GlobalSign is also offering two brand new services: DataCentre SSL (a solution specifically for large-scale data centers and control panel providers) and NonIP SSL (a unique solution of hosted SSL on a hardware security module).

“GlobalSign’s new systems are set to take the SSL market by storm with much needed ease-of use, reliability and functionality.  We’re excited to be launching these new capabilities to the channel and hope that it will drive continued growth,” said Paul Tourret, Managing Director GlobalSign Ltd.  “In a channel historically dominated by GeoTrust, GlobalSign is launching innovative products and services designed specifically with reseller models in mind.  We want to make it as easy as possible for our partners to engage with the end-user community, whilst offering reliability and value for money behind the scenes.”

As well as channel management advancements, GlobalSign is also offering a completely overhauled method of servicing retail customers.  By creating a personalised account, customers can make single purchases and easily buy new products or more certificates on the same domain, without having to go through the vetting process again, thereby presenting previously unheard-of level of control and flexibility.

Key features of the SSL certificate itself include the option of utilising Domain Validation, Organisation Validation or Extended Validation (DV, OV and EV), the free inclusion of Server Gated Cryptography (SGC) (to “step up” weak 40 bit browser to server connections to strong 128 bit), extensive warranties and recognition by all popular browsers, applications and mobile devices.  GlobalSign is also pioneering an “options” based approach which allows customers to create a tailor-made SSL certificate.  Options such as wildcard abilities (to allow multiple sub domains to be secured by a single certificate), inclusion of public and private IP addresses and servernames within the certificate (allowing use of SSL on Intranets and databases) and customisable start and end dates help customers create SSL certificates that meet their specific requirements.

All new services are available immediately and further information can be found on GlobalSign’s rebranded website at www.globalsign.com.

About GlobalSign

Established in 1996 and as a WebTrust accredited public certificate authority, GlobalSign (a GMO Internet Inc group company) offers publicly trusted SSL (standard and new Extended Validation), S/MIME and code signing certificates. These core solutions allow its thousands of enterprise customers to conduct secure online transactions and data submission, and provide tamper-proof distributable code as well as being able to bind identities to client certificates for email security and remote two factor authentication, such as SSL VPNs.  It has sales and support expertise available through its US, UK, Japanese and Belgian offices, available in a number of European and Asian languages.

About GMO Internet Inc.

GMO Internet Inc. (CEO Masatoshi Kumagai) is headquartered in Tokyo and is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, First Section (Code: 9449).  Its Internet based business areas include Internet infrastructure, media and finance.  Further details can be found at http://www.gmo.jp/en/.