Recently, I got the chance to interview VASCO's President Jan Valcke. The company is an online security specialist that is deeply interested in improving the security of the online gaming industry. VASCO's security has already been implemented in many games and I wanted to find out what they could offer and why they're so interested in this industry.

Alltern8: On your website, you state that VASCO use two-factor authentication for MMOG's, could you tell us a little more about this?

Jan Valcke: MMOG introduced a new phenomenon: virtual economies. Players can accumulate virtual currency, pieces of armour or new paraphernalia to tweak their virtual appearances. Game publishers provide new materials to enhance or influence the game. These items can be downloaded for small purchase fees. Gamers create online gaming accounts to store their acquired materials and gaming credits. Fraudsters soon saw big business by hacking into gamers’ accounts and stripping players of their gaming credits and acquired game paraphernalia and went on reselling it to other gamers.

Several online gaming operators realized the need for a secure online gaming platform. Account hacking poses a real threat which may erode their customer bases. They want to provide their gamers with an excellent gaming experience and deliver products and services of the highest quality. It was therefore logical that the online gaming industry began investing in security measures to secure their gaming services for end-users. After all, it is those users who helped build their success.

Several online gaming developers and providers already turned to VASCO to secure their online gaming platform choosing for the combination DIGIPASS® GO 6 and VACMAN® Controller. They also opted for a fully customized casing of the DIGIPASS, adding extra value for their players, protecting them against identity theft and account hacking while at the same time enhancing brand recognition.