RSA (the security division of EMC) and VeriSign Inc, a “Secure Sockets Layer” (SSL) certificate company, have announced a partnership. RSA explained is explained that the new partnership will provide VeriSign Identity Protection (VIP) Authentication Service via RSA SecurID two-factor authentication technology for more options in one-time password authentication. “V.I.P” is a shared authentication solution that utilizes a single one-time password (O.T.P) authentication device for secure access to multiple websites.

JimBidzos, VeriSign executive chairman stated:

“RSA and VeriSign have a long history of complementary and innovative security solutions and standards, such as SSL, that enabled internet usage and growth. We have again joined forces to benefit users by providing managed, shared authentication services on a single platform. No one is better equipped to deliver comprehensive, best-in-class authentication solutions than RSA and VeriSign.”

The joint agreement of these two companies does have precedent: the press release sent out mentions that nearly 14 years ago, Verisign was founded (albeit as a seperate business entity) to offer digital identities through a “managed services business model” utilizing RSA technology.

ArtCoviello, President of RSA and EMC Corporation’s Vice President, explained:

“Inventive collaboration between key industry leaders is critical to delivering higher value to customers and responding to the ever-changing threat environment. Together with VeriSign, we’ve worked hard over the decades to help ensure online transactions are safe, secure and trustworthy. With more than 40 million users of RSA SecurID worldwide, we’re thrilled at the opportunity to serve customers through the VIP Network.”

The “RSA SecurID Authentication Engine” should be fully integrated into the “VIP Authentication Service” by late December 2009. As part of the agreement, RSA and Verisign will be transferring existing RSA GoID customers to the integrated VIP Authentication Service by summer 2010. This basically means the RSA GoID service will be phased out by then, merged into the new combined service. The two companies are promising a smooth transititon, and are certain that both their own companies competitiveness as well as  the migrating RSA GoID customers’ services will greatly benefit from the arrangement.