KUALA LUMPUR Nov 24 - Aetna Universal Insurance Bhd became the first organisation in Malaysia to use the iVEST Smart Cards and Smart Card Readers issued by Digicert Sdn Bhd, the only government-approved digital certification authority.

This allows Aetna Universal's agency force to have a secure internet site - the Aetna Agency Network. Aetna Universal is a joint venture company between ULG Holdings Sdn Bhd, a local bumiputera company, and Aetna Inc., of Hartford, USA. Aetna Inc is the largest healthcare provider in the US with more than 23 million customers.

In Malaysia, Aetna Universal is the third largest life insurer providing coverage to a million Malaysians.

It is also a multi-line insurance company providing life, general, group and home service insurance.

At the launch of iVEST by Digicert, a joint venture company between POS Malaysia and MIMOS Bhd, Christopher Davies, president of Aetna Universal Insurance, was presented with a special 'iVEST Service Provider' certificate.

"We have worked with Digicert & MIMOS to come up with a solution to provide our agents with secure internet access to product information, the policy database, reports, news and other information to enable them to better service our customers," said Alan Goon, vice president of ULG's Life Sales Administration and Support.