Tech Bytes: Vasco Security Tokens Require No Contact

Vasco Data Security International announced the introduction of Digipass 600, an extension of its line of digital authentication tokens.

Vasco said it has shipped 30,000 of the new devices, which have properties similar to multiple-application smart cards. They can serve as identification cards, control access to physical locations, and authorize computer networks and data bases.

The design includes technology from Motorola Inc. that allows the tokens to be read "contactless," rather than having to be inserted into or swiped through a terminal.

Vasco also offers the Digipass 300 and Digipass 500. It has many bank customers in Europe that use the devices for two-factor authentication, combining user passwords with randomly generated codes unique to each transaction. The first major U.S. order for Digipass 300, announced in January, was from First Union Corp.