Ping Identity, which until now has focused on tools that manage the back end of federated identity, is now introducing a tool that links in the front end systems typically used on consumer facing websites.
PingLogin provides a middleware tier, or server, that sits between the authentication and the authorization system. In effect, it enables online businesses to swap in new strong authorization systems without having to rewrite the links to the system that grants access.
According to Ryan Hunter, director of products, it would address scenarios, such as that recently faced by a prominent banking institution, where its strong authentication system had recently been hacked and compromised.
With PingLogin, a compromised strong authentication system, such as a corrupted biometric scanner or password protection system, could be readily swapped out.
The drawback of course is that, because federated identity standards efforts have focused on the back end, the API to PingLogin is proprietary.
PingLogin is available now under the company’s customary download terms, where you get the first six months or 100,000 transactions for free.
