Your secret B identity

Security: Identity Management This newsletter is sponsored by Secure Computing PCI DSS: Discover how to easily comply Tune in to this live webcast to hear industry experts discuss the PCI DSS specification and how real-world companies are complying today. You will hear advice on how to establish a comprehensive strategy to achieve this goal. Don't miss out. Network World's Security: Identity Management Newsletter, 11/12/07 Your secret B identity By Dave Kearns Whenever politicians start talking about “protecting our most valuable resource, our children,” I know it’s time to do two things: get out the BS meter and hold onto my wallet. Whenever someone in marketing says that, you just need to hold on to your wallet – presumably you’re already measuring the BS quotient in any marketing spiel. I was gripping my wallet a lot last week. My friend Andre Durand, of Ping Identity, pointed me towards “Barbie Girls” – a Web site and an identity device! [warning: diabetics and those with a low tolerance for cute should turn off their speakers before viewing the site. I’m not sure how Andre stumbled upon it.] The deal is that you buy your daughter this $60 thing (which Andre described as looking like “a cross between a Bratz doll and a Cue Cat”) which sits in a docking station connected by a USB cable to your PC. Then, your little darling can go online to the site and chat (in what’s called “Secret B Chat”) with like-minded pre-teen girls. Well, only those who have been both approved by your little darling and who’ve registered with the site. As Durand so aptly put it: “Sally brings her Barbie Girl over to her friend Tiffany's house, and sets it in Tiffany's docking station -- which is plugged into a USB port on Tiffany's PC. Mattel's (Windows only) software apparently reads some sort of globally unique identifier embedded in Sally's Barbie Girl, and authenticates Sally as one of Tiffany's Best Friends. Now when Sally gets home, the two can talk in Secret B Chat.” Webcast: Get the latest on NAC Learn the latest on Network Access Control in Network World's Perspectives Editorial Webcast. Discover how IT professionals can leverage this hot security technology in their networks, while also learning about key management areas that have not yet been perfected. To learn more click here. So for $60, Sally can talk with Tiffany online. Of course, for free she could go back to Tiffany’s house and chatter away for hours. Or call her on the phone (land line would also be free). But it is cute! Next issue, I’ve got another “protect the children” item – but without the sugar overload of the Barbie site. Please come back. Upcoming Events: Nothing to list this time, but I’m at the Gartner ID Summit this week. If you are also, feel free to say “hi!” and let me know what’s on your mind. Editor's note: Starting Monday, Nov, 19, this newsletter will be renamed "Security: Identity Management Alert." Subscribers to the HTML version of this newsletter will notice some enhancements that will provide you with access to more resources relevant to identity management. You will still receive Dave Kearns' analysis of this market, which you will be able to read in its entirety online at NetworkWorld.com, along with links to relevant news headlines of the day. We hope you enjoy the enhancements and we thank you for reading Network World newsletters.   What do you think? Post a comment on this newsletter

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Contact the author: Dave Kearns is the editor of IdM, the Journal of Identity Management as well as a consultant to both vendors and users of IdM technologies. He's written a number of books including the (sadly) now out of print "Complete Guide to eDirectory." His other musings can be found at the Virtual Quill, an Internet publisher which provides content services to network vendors: books, manuals, white papers, lectures and seminars, marketing, technical marketing and support documents. Virtual Quill provides "words to sell by..." Find out more by e-mail. Comments to this newsletter can be e-mailed to Dave here.  This newsletter is sponsored by Secure Computing PCI DSS: Discover how to easily comply Tune in to this live webcast to hear industry experts discuss the PCI DSS specification and how real-world companies are complying today. You will hear advice on how to establish a comprehensive strategy to achieve this goal. Don't miss out. ARCHIVE Archive of the Security: Identity Management Newsletter. BONUS FEATURE 90% of IT Managers are leaving their company at risk for a DNS ATTACK. Get the tools and resources you need to keep your DNS healthy and secure. Run a DNSreport on your domain today - 56 critical tests run in 8 seconds. Visit www.dnsreport.com to learn more. (apply coupon NWW2007NLA for a 25% membership discount) PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today. International subscribers, click here. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. This message was sent to: security.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription. Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007