Two-factor authentication vendor Cryptocard has unveiled Interoute as the first pan-European recruit to its managed authentication service partner programme.

Interoute will push Cryptocard’s CRYPTO-MAS managed service offering to its install base of 20,000 corporate virtual private network users in the UK and EMEA.

Neil Hollister, chief executive at Cryptocard, said the vendor aims to recruit up to 20 managed services partners in the UK alone in 2008.

“Interoute has a massive install base and we expect customers will look to them not just for advice on the basic connection but for the security built in around it. And we expect to jointly pitch with them going forward,” he told CRN.

Neil Downing, director of IP services for Interoute, said: “We have been using Cryptocard as part of our value proposition to our corporate customers for some time.
“Now there is a more formal relationship we can train our sales force more deeply and achieve a guaranteed level of resource.”