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Robert O'Keefe has created a demo of how to use the Citrix Password Manager Localization SDK, which can be used to localize the CPM plugin to languages beyond those natively supported.
I spent some time recently chatting with Ross Duncan, VP of Channels at Gemalto, due to my role as product manager for Citrix Password Manager.While Citrix remains "strong authentication agnostic", Ross raised some great points: - Passwords are bad - I don't think anyone will argue this point! There have been many solutions to enforce management of passwords to mitigate the inherent weakness. Then those "solutions" that make passwords more complex can cause user convenience problems - plus bad behavior such as passwords written down, using the same password for many applications, and so on. Then the help desk calls are both extensive and expensive. - eSSO means putting all the keys to the kingdom in one place. This allows IT to use hyper-secure passwords (20+ characters, special characters, etc.) that change rapidly. However, the end user now has only ONE password to know - therefore there is a case to augment it with a strong authentication device like Gemalto smart cards. - Coupling of eSSO and smart cards brings the ultimate in convenience with maximum security - the user inserts their card, enters their PIN, and they can securely access the system. This is much easier then entering user name/password - easier and more secure. - Vendors like Gemalto are integrated with Citrix Password Manager, smooth roaming/Hot Desktop, XenApp and CAG, which is convenient for customers.
We also discussed the merits of converging logical and physical security. This always looks great on powerpoints, but it has been a real slow starter in real life. It's been discussed for 8 years that I personally know about, but the actual implementations are lagging. It always struck me this way: the physical security personnel and the IT security personnel are usually in different areas within and organization, and there are numerous political barriers to having the two groups work together and contribute budgets to make a badge/technology/management decision together. I know Gemalto has partnerships to do this, but it seems to me to face obstacles. Would like to hear comments!
This is a little-known fact that may be very interesting for customers who want SSO, but realize Password Manager does not natively support your language. We have an SDK available for partners to do their own translations of the CPM UI. It is available for free, and has already been requested by partners in Russia, Czech Republic, Sweden, Italy, Greece and Poland.
This SDK can be used with standalone CPM and XenApp Platinum (Single Sign-on powered by Password Manager.) Both offerings are the same code base.
Our terms are intentionally simple: the local Citrix rep approves the partner to me, partner signs a EULA, I give the partner access to the SDK via FTP, and the partner owns the resultant work effort (of course CPM licenses are still required for the customers purchasing translated versions from the partner.)
The caveats are that the business partner is responsible for keeping up with changes as new releases are provided from Citrix, and the local Citrix account team vouches for the integrity of the partner. We need to be sure the UI delivered is of quality, hence the local team involvement.
If you're interested, please have your Citrix rep contact kate.brew@citrix.com
Would also appreciate comments on this approach - yea or nay!