Symantec, VeriSign set up joint cybersecurity seal

Published April 24, 2012 1:47pm

When it comes to the security of a website, what could be more reassuring than the seals of Norton and VeriSign? Answer: The Norton Secured Seal.

Computer security firm Symantec on Monday said it is combining the Norton brand and VeriSign checkmark to create the "Norton Secured Seal" trust mark.

"It will be displayed more than half a billion times per day in 170 countries on websites and in search results on enabled browsers," it said.

Symantec said the Norton Secured Seal provides consumers and businesses with the assurance that the website is highly trusted and secure.

Christian Christiansen, program vice president for Security Products and Services at IDC, said this is timely in the wake of increasing online threats.

He said customers increasingly need confirmation that a website is "genuine and safe.”

“To answer this customer requirement, companies need to present customers with assurances of reliability. Therefore, the Norton Secured Seal, backed by Symantec authentication and security, is an important and recognizable trust mark for online consumers,” he said.

Symantec's acquisition of the VeriSign Authentication Services business has allowed it to expand its authentication business, integrating rigorous website security and anti-malware technologies, to develop market-leading solutions.

It builds on its leadership, as the world's largest and most trusted provider of Security Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates, into offering comprehensive website security solutions.

“Since acquiring the VeriSign Authentication business, Symantec extends the core foundation of SSL to offer the most comprehensive security portfolio in the market,” said Fran Rosch, vice president, Identity and Authentication of Symantec.

Rosch added Symantec's shift to delivering Website Security Solutions further strengthens the protection of data and information in transit.

The Norton Secured Seal represents a major step in helping companies establish higher levels of website trust and confidence with their customers, Rosch added.

Symantec Consumer Worldwide Marketing vice president Sally Jenkins added Symantec and Norton’s combined brand equity have created the most trusted global brand for protecting information and identities online.

"Norton is committed to helping consumers stay protected, across all aspects of their digital lives. The Norton Secured Seal is backed by the trusted Norton brand and empowers consumers to browse, shop, and socialize online with full confidence that their personal information is secure,” she said.

Trust seal

Symantec said business customers will value the Norton Secured Seal, which can attract new visitors and potential customers who trust it.

It cited a U.S. online consumer study that recognition of the Norton Secured seal is high: 94 percent of consumers are likely to continue an online purchase when they view the Norton™ Secured Seal during the checkout process, more than other seals or when no seal was displayed.

Also, it said 77 percent of consumers recognized the Norton™ Secured Seal, more than competitors' trust seals.

It added 65 percent of consumers agree that a website displaying the Norton™ Secured Seal is “safe to browse and won’t give me a virus,” more than any other online trust mark.

Symantec added 90 percent of respondents indicated they would not continue a transaction if they saw a browser warning page indicating the absence of a secure connection.

Protecting consumers' data

Symantec said the Norton Secured Seal provides further assurance to businesses that their customers’ online information and transactions are protected at all stages.

It added its consumer products are used by more than 150 million people worldwide and Norton products ship on more than 60 percent of Windows-based consumer PCs.

"The Norton Secured Seal is already familiar to consumers who use Norton Safe Web, a site ratings service that makes it easy for consumers to differentiate between a safe and risky site. In addition, Norton Safe Search leverages Safe Web technology to provide users visual site ratings within search results before they visit a site," it added.

It said that for consumers, the seal would let them know it is safe to communicate, transact and exchange information on that site.

Updating seals

Symantec began automatically updating all VeriSign seals with the Norton Secured Seal to websites worldwide starting April 17.

This will go on for two weeks, with the seamless transition needing no action by current customers. — TJD, GMA News

Tags: symantec, verisign, cybersecurity