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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →SafeNet announced on March 12, 2012, that it had acquired privately held authentication vendor Cryptocard. The deal paired SafeNet’s existing authentication solutions with Cryptocard’s Blackshield Cloud platform, expanding SafeNet’s stated choice of on-premises and cloud-delivered authentication. The companies did not disclose the purchase price.
What SafeNet acquired
Cryptocard brought Blackshield Cloud, a platform for delivering authentication as a service. SafeNet described the combination as its Trusted Authentication Solutions alongside Blackshield Cloud, giving customers access to both on-premises and service-delivered authentication options.
The announcement characterized Cryptocard as a cloud-authentication provider serving enterprises, service providers, mobile and telecom providers, and system integrators. Its company profile said it was established in 1989, headquartered in Canada and the UK, and used by thousands of companies in more than 70 countries. Those reach figures were claims in the company profile, not independently measured results.
Why the acquisition mattered
The strategic aim was to broaden how SafeNet could deliver authentication and use its global presence to extend Cryptocard’s service into more markets. SafeNet and Cryptocard presented this as a way to offer customers more flexibility between maintaining authentication on premises and using a cloud service. Those were the companies’ stated expectations; the announcement did not establish post-acquisition results.
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That delivery choice also reflected a concern raised in SafeNet’s announcement: organizations wanting control over identity administration, credentialing, and verification might continue to favor on-premises systems, while others could consider a cloud service. This was contemporaneous market framing, not current vendor guidance.
Cryptocard’s authentication options in 2012
Beyond Blackshield Cloud, contemporaneous reporting described Cryptocard’s historical options as phone, software, SMS, and physical tokens. The Register also reported credit cards with built-in one-time tokens. Cryptocard’s grIDsure method was described as a way to generate one-time passwords without a hardware token or software application.
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- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5C NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5C NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5C NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
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These are historical product descriptions from 2012. The available reporting does not establish whether those products remain available, supported, or compatible with current systems.
Deal price and SafeNet’s later ownership
SafeNet did not disclose financial terms for its acquisition of Cryptocard, so there is no confirmed purchase price to report.
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- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
Gemalto later agreed to acquire all of SafeNet for US$890 million, as announced in August 2014. Gemalto said it expected the transaction to close in the fourth quarter, subject to approvals, and announced completion on January 8, 2015, after regulatory and antitrust approvals. Gemalto said SafeNet would be integrated into its Payment & Identity segment. The available announcements do not trace what happened to Blackshield Cloud product by product after those corporate changes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the 2012 market forecast did—and did not—say
SafeNet’s March 2012 announcement quoted Gartner’s January 2012 “Magic Quadrant for User Authentication.” The forecast expected the user-authentication market to grow by approximately 30 percent in the upcoming year. It also predicted that more than 50 percent of enterprises would choose cloud-based services for new or refreshed user-authentication implementations by 2017, up from less than 10 percent at the time. Gartner’s quoted view was that on-premises systems would likely persist, especially among more risk-averse enterprises seeking control of identity administration, credentialing, and verification.
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- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
These figures were forecasts quoted in a company announcement, not verified outcomes. They help explain the market context SafeNet used to position the acquisition; they do not establish whether the predictions came true.
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- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 is a versatile physical passkey that protects your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 via USB and tap it to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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