Entrust Digital Signature Technology Supports New Adobe Server-Based Forms Capabilities
Organizations Worldwide Can More Easily Benefit from Auditable Transactions
21 Oct 2002
DALLAS - Entrust, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENTU), a leading global provider of Internet security solutions and services, has strengthened its product integration with Adobe Systems Incorporated through support of the new Adobe server and solutions software announced today.
The Adobe? Document Server for Reader? Extensions solution is a new server-based addition to the Adobe product line, which extends the functionality of Adobe Acrobat? Reader and Adobe PDF forms. It includes support for Entrust's industry-leading digital signature capabilities, which create an auditable record that cannot be altered, and allows users to simply double-click on the digital signature to verify the credentials of participants in a transaction.
Government agencies and private enterprises have an increasing need to publish signed documents for public access, which requires that the public be equipped with the tools to verify the authenticity and integrity of published documents.
Customers such as the State of Florida's Department of Community Affairs are already using Entrust digital signatures with Adobe PDF forms. With digital signatures, the State is able to process online grant applications more efficiently and securely.
"We fundamentally believe that digital signatures used with a PDF are more secure than ink signatures," said Steve Grantham, CIO for the Florida Department of Community Affairs. "If you have a 20-page paper contract, and you sign the last page, someone can still tamper with the document. With digital signatures on electronic documents, you have increased security because no part of the document can be altered without your knowledge."
Last week, the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) announced the purchase of a government-wide license to implement a new Entrust digital signature solution at multiple federal agencies. This solution also integrates with Adobe Acrobat applications to provide government agencies with a more fully integrated, secure e-document solution, enabling them to improve efficiencies, reduce costs and increase service levels to their constituents and customers using Adobe PDF files.
"eGovernment initiatives, such as the Government Paperwork Elimination ACT (GPEA), and e-Government strategic action plans from departments such as the DOE, are now coming to the forefront in the U.S.," said Kumar Vora, vice president, Server Products Group, Adobe Systems. "Support for digital signatures is highly encouraged within these initiatives, and we are pleased that our solid product interoperability and business relationship with Entrust has been further strengthened through its support of our new PDF forms capabilities."
"Our long-standing relationship with Adobe continues to provide tangible business benefits for enterprises and governments alike. Digital signatures help these organizations eliminate paper, lower costs and increase efficiencies, while complying with legislative guidelines. Consequently, the list of leading-edge organizations leveraging the technology as part of an effort to enhance their Internet security capabilities is steadily growing," said Ian Curry, vice-president and chief marketing officer. "By enabling customers to provide their constituents with digital signature capabilities in the ubiquitous Acrobat Reader, Adobe will undoubtedly help drive faster, more complete adoption of digital signatures worldwide among government, business and consumers."
About the Products
Adobe Document Server for Reader Extensions helps governments enhance services and meet legislative guidelines for paperwork reduction by assigning custom usage rights to specific Adobe PDF forms. This provides users of free Acrobat Reader 5.1 software with temporary access to additional features, including Entrust digital signature capabilities. For further information visit: http://www.adobe.com/products/server/readerextensions/main.html.
The Acrobat Entrust Security Plug-in integrates Adobe Acrobat with Entrust Entelligence software to provide more reliable digital signatures, secured document generation, and workflow review capabilities for Acrobat 4.0 and later versions. The documents generated can more easily be viewed and digitally signed through a web browser. Acrobat ships with the plug-in, or it may be downloaded from the Web at no additional cost by visiting: http://www.pdfstore.com/details.asp?ProdID=214.