Lightbridge, Verisign in mobile authentication alliance

Lightbridge and VeriSign today announced an initiative that will combine the companies’ software and services to authenticate the identity of consumers engaged in secure mobile and online transactions.

Under the agreement, Lightbridge solutions will be used as part of the VeriSign Authentication Service Bureau (ASB) service, which lets enterprises authenticate customers’ identities.

“It’s taking the capability that we’ve developed over the years and dealing with faceless transactions,” said Bob Shelton, director of strategic solutions for Lightbridge.

For enterprises wanting to offer transactions, the alliance allows them to use digital certificates, which will be sent to Lightbridge for verification. The deal is designed specifically to cut down on identity fraud.

“As the mobile device gets a better display and more services are offered by third parties, we’re expecting that many more transactions will be done by mobile devices,” said Shelton.