The former chief executive of security and utilities software giant Symantec has predicted that Microsoft's controversial Passport authentication scheme will be a boon for online commerce.
Gordon Eubanks, chief executive at Oblix, a developer of software for managing identity authentication and rights, said Passport had a key role to play in accelerating trading and communications.
"Passport is focusing on a consumer problem," Eubanks said. "It's extremely valuable and consumers really want that kind of capability. If you go to a Web site today you have to fill in all these forms. I don't have to fill out all these forms if I go to a shop in London because I use a credit card."
Eubanks was a key defence witness for Microsoft in its dispute with US regulators when he was with Symantec, so to some extent he might be expected to support Microsoft. However, his comments are surprising as Oblix is a potential rival to Microsoft, which said last month that it plans to extend Passport to business-to-business transactions.
Critics have suggested that Microsoft is attempting to lock in users to its infrastructure, but Eubanks disagreed. "Passport promises to give people more choices. But just as with other choices, [Microsoft's critics] are focusing on the wrong thing because Passport will be one of many systems. I'm sure we will work with it."
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