Digital security outfit Vasco is to sell its two-factor authentication devices direct to the consumer via high street retailers and online markets such as eBay.
Under its new Digipass for Retail initiative Vasco will initially focus on selling its Digipass 905 card readers to customers in the Belgium and UK markets.
The Digpass 905 reader can be connected to a PC via USB and can be used as a desktop or 'add-on' device. The readers can be used to ensure secure access to Internet banking services and PKI applications and for network security.
The vendor says it has already begun selling its Digipass 905 eID card reader for the Belgian market on eBay. Vasco says it is also in talks with several retailers about stocking the card reader in stores.
Vasco says its initial focus on the Belgium market relates to the introduction of a national ID card scheme in the country that will see all citizens provided with a smart card that can be used to access applications used by private and public institutions.
"Soon everyone will need an eID card reader; it is therefore a logical step for Vasco to extend its product offerings to end-users," says the company in a statement.
The vendor is also planning to make its Digipass 905 smart card reader/writer available to customers in the UK.
The company plans to extend its new retail strategy to other countries in the future.
"Bringing Digipass to retail outlets, fits entirely in our full option, all terrain strategy," says Vasco president and CEO Jan Valcke. "End-users can actively protect themselves from identity theft and online fraud."
"By selling Digipass via retail outlets, we bring banking level security into everybody's reach," he adds.