Imprivata and TI collaborate to combine SOC with strong user authentication

Imprivata, focused on healthcare IT security and Texas Instruments will collaborate to support strong authentication and secure application access from virtual desktop environments. The approach, which combines TI's DM8148 SoC (system-on-chip) with Imprivata's OneSign will enable manufacturers to provide out-of-the-box strong user authentication into any software application delivered via a thin- or zero-client endpoint. This type of integrated technology is particularly attractive in healthcare, where highly mobile care providers need fast and secure access to sensitive patient information on shared devices, while IT teams strive to lower maintenance and increase security by centralizing data. TI's cost-effective DM8148 SoC drives optimized virtual desktop capabilities in a power-efficient, secure manner. The SoC's intelligent architecture includes a programmable DSP to accelerate virtual desktop protocols and on-chip HD video accelerators for rich multimedia experiences, including 1080p video streaming. The DM8148 supports dual displays (cloned or extended desktop) running concurrently up to 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) resolution, and supports the leading VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) protocols for ultimate flexibility. The low-power SoC enables OEMs to create a fanless design, which yields greater reliability and lower maintenance for thin-client systems. To fully use the capabilities of the DM8148 SoC, TI has also developed a software RDK (reference design kit) for thin and zero clients. Through its partnership with TI, Imprivata enables thin- and zero-client vendors to embed Imprivata OneSign strong authentication functionality directly into their devices incorporating the TI DM8148 SoC. This approach allows manufacturers to simplify their development and ensure Imprivata Ready accreditation for their products. The DM8148 SoC and the DM8148 software RDK are available today.

Imprivata OneSign enables strong authentication across a wide range of operating systems, applications, and devices with broad support of authentication modalities including fingerprint biometrics, proximity and smart cards, one-time passwords, and USB tokens. Through the IDP (Imprivata Developer Program), Imprivata enables third-parties to integrate OneSign authentication into software and hardware through a family of API and software called OneSign ProveID. This is an embedded software layer that supports TI's DM8148 SoC and RDK, and is directly integrated within thin- and zero-client solutions to provide native authentication. In addition to supporting fast and secure data access, OneSign provides manufacturers and end users with flexibility, along with reassurance that technology investments will provide long-term value and simplified management. With desktop virtualization adoption in hospitals expected to grow by 44% in 2013, Imprivata OneSign strong authentication allows users to benefit from No-Click Access, essential for care providers who need instant access to protected clinical data. "In healthcare, there is little delineation between the public and private spaces in which clinicians work, and care providers are constantly accessing patient information across shared workstations throughout a hospital. This poses a unique workflow and security challenge," said David Ting, founder and chief technology officer at Imprivata. "Desktop virtualization, when coupled with No-Click Access, provides clinicians with fast, secure access to patient information, regardless of location." "As interest in desktop virtualization continues to grow, the need for strong authentication and single sign-on also continues to rise," said Kim Devlin-Allen, thin client business manager at TI's OMAP platform business unit. "Meeting this demand, TI's DM8148 offers leading-edge performance and power advantages to enable cost-effective thin and zero clients, particularly in the highly regulated healthcare market. We are excited about the opportunity to showcase the DM8148 RDK software optimized with Imprivata's strong authentication technology, and to pave the way for new advancements in the embedded thin- and zero-client markets." Texas Instruments Imprivata