Chocolate and VeriSign partner to launch next generation DDOS and account protection services

Online, January 24, 2010 (Newswire.com) - The partnership will focus on offering gaming clients two essential services:

VeriSign® Identity Protection (VIP)

VIP is a proven technology that is currently deployed globally to millions of users concerned with protecting their online accounts. Account takeover fraud often prompts customers to evaluate VIP, but many partners view the solution as a strategic approach to earning their customer's trust which can be directly linked to higher loyalty and lifetime value figures. Keeping the best customers engaged for longer periods of time is at the heart of the VIP service; increasing the lifetime value of a player and increasing brand strength in the process. Whilst gaming operators are responsible for protecting players against account takeover and fraudsters, only a few have taken steps to increase the level of security they offer for players. .

The VIP service is a cloud based real time authentication system that can protect players from account takeover and can protect the operators from costs associated with the losses and investigation costs of this growing fraud issue. The system can work as a mobile phone based application without the expense of hardware tokens and mail fulfillment, or can be despatched as a token with a welcome pack.

Phil D'Angio, head of business development at VeriSign said: "Everyone wants more customers, but what we really want is better customers. Trust is the cornerstone of customer relationships. VIP creates the trust fabric for players and operators so that they can optimise re-load, pay-out, account management, and VIP services with their customers. Additionally, VIP combats account takeover fraud, which is a growing trend in the gaming community. We believe this combined value proposition of security and customer trust is uniquely positioned in the gaming community, and we're delighted to bring it to market via our partnership with Chocolate".

VeriSign's Internet Defence Network (VIDN)

In an environment where a few hours of downtime can cost a business several million euros, pounds or dollars the implementation of a stable DDOS solution is top of mind. In the online gaming sector DDOS attacks have matured into sophisticated events that most of the existing solutions cannot prevent or detect. VeriSign has unparalleled experience running successful DDOS prevention services, as is demonstrated in its recent announcement of 100 percent availability of the Internet's .COM and .NET infrastructure. VeriSign understands the nature of the attacks, has experienced a significant volume of them, and has lead industry efforts to thwart them for years - it is uniquely positioned to offer a DDOS service that combines intelligent detection and remediation capabilities. Chocolate and VeriSign have partnered to bring this solution into the online gaming sector where the threats have become more challenging in the last six months.

Justin Fraser, director at Chocolate Consulting said:-
"At Chocolate we work with our partners to help them understand the Online Gaming sector and tailor their value propositions for market entry programs. With VeriSign we saw a great opportunity to bring security services into the sector that increase player trust and drive lifetime value. The combination of VIP and VIDN brings a strong mix of value propositions that address organization's initiatives to eliminate brand damage, customer loss, and revenue loss."

VeriSign and Chocolate Consulting will be sponsoring The International Gaming Expo 2010 (incorporating ICE & ICEi), 26-28 January 2010 at Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London. Phil D'Angio, head of business development at Verisign will be speaking at the event about 'Minimising the Risk and Keeping Customers Happy: Solutions for Entertainment and Gaming Web Properties'.

For more information contact:
Harry Lang at [email protected] or +44 (0) 7967 641363
Justin Fraser at [email protected] or +44(0)759 590 8269

Notes to the Editor:

About Chocolate Consulting
Chocolate Consulting specialises in creating shareholder value by helping to drive business in the most efficient manner towards its agreed objectives. They apply particular skills and knowledge, with agreed process to achieve real business advantage. They are known as developing category-killing products and services across technology, telecommunications, payments and gaming sectors. For more information email or call Justin Fraser at [email protected] or +44(0)759 590 8269.

About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN) is the trusted provider of Internet infrastructure services for the networked world. Billions of times each day, VeriSign helps companies and consumers all over the world engage in communications and commerce with confidence. Additional news and information about the company is available at www.verisign.com.