HSBC in Australia has begun to distribute the Digipass GO3 strong authentication device from VASCO Data Security International to its retail internet banking customers for protection against phishing and other online fraud.

HSBC is the first bank in Australia to offer a  Digipass to all its retail internet customers free of charge and is looking to provide enhanced security to its customer base as a top priority.  HSBC Group also has plans to roll out VASCO's Digipass to all retail internet banking clients in Asia.

"We are honoured to welcome HSBC in Australia as a VASCO customer," said Jan Valcke, VASCO's president and COO. "VASCO's Digipass GO3 is an extremely portable and easy to use two factor authentication device that provides users with a secure One-Time Password (OTP) which cannot be re-used by hackers. We acknowledge HSBC in Australia groundbreaking decision to lead the battle for secure online banking in the region. VASCO will spare no effort to make this project a success."