As information processing continues to move toward an open systems environment, the advantages of authentication & key distribution systems over traditional passwords are becoming more & more evident. In this timely guide for computer scientists, electrical engineers, & networking specialists, author Rolf Oppliger explains & compares the various authentication & key distribution systems available today, including Kerberos, NetSP, SPX, TESS, & SESAME. Explores the cryptographic techniques used for these systems — & shows how to use them to provide the best security for your network.