Two-factor authentication

"An authentication factor is a piece of information and process used to authenticate or verify a person's identity for security purposes. Two-factor authentication (T-FA) is a system wherein two different factors are used to authenticate. Using two factors as opposed to one delivers a higher level of authentication assurance. Using more than one factor is sometimes called strong authentication." Wikipedia

The most common form of authentication is your bank card ie Chip and Pin. Your bank card contains a chip that identifies you when you put it into a card reader, and your pin authenticates you.
A Mobiu contains the same sort of chip as a bank card or a mobile phone. No surprise as the Mobiu technology was developed by Vodafone. Using your mouse you authenticate using a pin number to say "its me!". This gives you secure access to hosted space.

The Mobiu comes with office software. As you can use the Mobiu to use the software, your hosted space for files, and as above the authentication leaves no evidence for capturing keystokes (often refered to as keylogging or keystroke logging).

This means you have a secure "PC on a Stick", where ever you go.

As an aside I asked someone yesterday if they were interested in the technology - they responded that they had lost 2 laptops and now never travelled with one.

The Mobiu will be available from mid July. PRD Partnership are busy helping The Key Revolution develop the education sector. If you would like to be involved in a trial, get more information, or be one of the first to get one, do get in touch. We have developed some interesting ideas as to how to make the best use of the Mobiu in education. We can also explain the benefits to lecturers, teachers, administrators, or students (another blog on its way.....)

Interest is becoming widespread:

Gadget Lets You Take The Office Anywhere
Updated:00:46, Wednesday June 25, 2008
The ability to access your work from anywhere has taken another step with the launch of a new device.

Mobiu's USB device
The Mobiu is a USB storage device which uses technology patented by telecoms giant Vodafone.
Plugging the device into a computer brings up a simple interface which allows people to access files on a remote server using pre-installed software.
This means that when the device is removed from a computer, no trace of that activity is left.
The Mobiu has a SIM card inside it, and if it is lost or stolen, it can be deactived straight away.
Adrian Burholt, CEO of the Key Revolution, which is behind Mobiu, said that the device responded to customer need.
He told Sky News Online: "What worries people is concerns over their data.


"We found that people like the idea of something in their pocket that reassures them that their data is safe and no-one else can get their hands on it."
He said that ease of use was also very important for people, adding: "We've designed it so anyone can pick it up and use it."
Mobiu enters an increasingly crowded marketplace for remote working, and with services such as Microsoft's Live Mesh on the horizon, which allows computers to synchronise and share information across the internet.
Stuart Miles of Pocket Lint said that the Mobiu launch was similar to U3 sticks, which came on the market last year.
These USB devices also carry data and software, though do not have the same SIM-card style security.
He told Sky News Online: "A U3 drive is like your desktop being carried around."

Creative Destruction: Due Diligence – how much do you do?

The creative production process relies on an entrepreneur taking something new or innovative to the market place and making a real difference to our lives.

Previous articles have been written about different markets where there will be a number of alternative “new” options, where there will eventually emerge one or two serious contenders. For instance in the heating market and wood pellets, the question has not been answered yet.

Part of the process of market making involves making relationships, and in commerce this involves the transfer of goods and services and fees via an agreement.

The question of due diligence often arises, or the slightly murkier cousin “trust me!”. Undertaking research on someone or a company can be uncomfortable, could be costly, time consuming and ultimately unnecessary. Not undertaking any research can be very costly in some situations.

Step 1 The basic research

Make sure the company or the individual is traceable, and do look for some history. For instance even solicitors or former solicitors can have a past.

Tip: http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/archive/view=query.law

gives you an online archive in the UK for news on Solicitors. This one is free, and there are others for other proffessions and trades.

Why?

Individuals often repeat their behaviour, although we have serial entrepreneurs, you can have serial offenders.

Step 2 The basic trust

You can also network, and network in someone else's network. Find out who they mix with, what other people say about them. Even better, you may find someone in your network that can speak for them. If you cannot, then think about whether you want to proceed to step 3.

Step 3 The more advanced trust

Should you experience each others product or service at a level where you can afford to loose, before you decide to scale.

All the above sounds good – but time consuming. The venture capitalists seem to do it quicker through making sure that the team stands up to scrutiny and that you deal at the right level. Unfortunately how you get from being on your own to being amongst a team of recognisable and highly talented people is not so obvious. Take some comfort from the fact that many VC investments don't work out. Many Hi-Tech teams split up. It does seem to be an iterative process, and you have to keep learning along the way.