Thursby Software Systems, Inc. announced today that it is extending the ADmitMac product line with the introduction of ADmitMac for PIV.
Thursby Software Announces New Product, ADmitMac for PIV

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – June 1, 2009

Thursby Software Systems, Inc. announced today that it is extending the ADmitMac product line with the introduction of ADmitMac for PIV.

ADmitMac for PIV (ADPIV) securely integrates U.S. Government Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards with Apple Macintosh computers. The software provides a single sign-on environment, verifying a PIV card against a centralized network authority.

ADmitMac for PIV includes Thursby's SMB/CIFS implementation for bidirectional file and printing sharing with Microsoft networks. This includes support for Microsoft's Distributed File System (DFS), common to all Thursby products. For customers using Microsoft's Entourage 2004, ADmitMac for PIV adds the ability for users to access email using their PIV card instead of passwords (a capability native to Entourage 2008).

When a PIV card is inserted into a Macintosh, ADmitMac for PIV changes the normal login screen and challenges the user to enter their PIV card PIN authorization. Upon verification of the user's PIN, ADPIV then obtains the proper network credentials from the Kerberos Key Distribution Center. AdmitMac for PIV includes its own PKINIT (Public Key Cryptography for Initial Authentication in Kerberos) that enables this secure integration.

Security goes far beyond a simple verification of the PIN against the PIV card. With ADmitMac for PIV, the card itself is challenged to ensure that neither the card nor the privileges granted the user have been revoked.

ADmitMac for PIV obtains authorized Kerberos certificates, makes these certificates available to “Kerberized” applications, locks the computer upon removal of a PIV card, and protects the computer from unauthorized wake from sleep modes.
The enterprise version (volume licenses) includes the ADmitMac Deployment Utility to allow simplified deployment to multiple Macintosh systems. Also included is AD Commander that allows an administrator to manage Active Directory settings from a Macintosh.

Thursby Software is offering special introductory pricing through August 31, 2009 on ADmitMac for PIV. Detailed information including a full list of features, pricing, and evaluation licenses are available on Thursby's web site, www.thursby.com.
ADmitMac for PIV continues Thursby Software's history of providing both the first and most complete Macintosh to Microsoft networking solutions.

Background

On August 27, 2004, President Bush released Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) mandating the development of a common identification standard for federal employees and contractors under the direction of the Secretary of Commerce. The National Institute of Standards (NIST) subsequently developed a smartcard standard to meet the requirements of HSPD-12. The standard was published February 25, 2005 as Federal Information Processing Standard 201 (FIPS 201). FIPS 201 defines the Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card specifications for physical and logical access control.

The Department of Defense developed its own standard to meet the requirements of HSPD-12, naming their smartcard the Common Access Card (CAC) and began issuing the CAC in October 2006.

Thursby's ADmitMac for CAC is the approved solution for connecting Macintosh systems to the U.S. Army network. It provides the same functionality for CAC users as ADmitMac for PIV provides for PIV card users. ADmitMac for CAC is part of the Apple Army Golden Master that provides tested configurations of operating systems and required software for Army users.

Thursby Software Systems, Inc. of Arlington, Texas, has been developing, supporting and marketing a wide variety of connectivity solutions worldwide since 1986. Products also include DAVE®, ADmitMac®, and ADmitMac for CAC – all focused on connecting Macintosh systems to Windows networks.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
Email: sales@thursby.com
Phone: (817) 478-5070
ADmitMac and DAVE are registered trademarks of Thursby Software Systems, Inc.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.