Strengthening authentication capabilities for remote
working
ntl:Telewest Business has strengthened its authentication
practices for services that enable remote workers to access
corporate networks. Two-factor authentication services will give
customer’s greater capabilities to positively identify remote
workers when they attempt access.
This added layer of security will harden network defences for
businesses seeking to extend flexible working practices and local
authorities needing to comply with the new GCSx Code of Connection,
which states that all public sector workers must adhere to higher
level security controls when remotely accessing internal systems.
It uses technology from CRYPTOCard, a leading developer of
two-factor authentication (2FA) technology.
The reliance of workers accessing corporate networks when away
from the office has heightened the security requirements for
organisations needing to manage an increasingly mobile workforce.
This can expose organisations to a multitude of security risks,
which could result in customer and public information being viewed
on the wrong side of a corporate firewall. Two-factor
authentication delivers a higher level of authentication assurance,
in the form of a one-time-password token used in conjunction with
the user’s Personal Identification Number (PIN).
The new service works as a two-factor authentication solution,
which requires each user to enter a one-time password before they
are allowed to access corporate network resources. This eliminates
weak ‘static’ passwords that can be easily cracked or hacked and
could be forgotten or mismanaged by the user. IT managers can
choose whether to roll out the passwords as hardware tokens or in
software form, such as SMSs, depending on the organisation’s
preferences.
“The news that the government plans to extend flexible working
rights to an estimated 4.5 million people greatly impacts the IT
department, who will ultimately be responsible for securing the
technology to make this possible,” said Andrew McGrath, Commercial
Director of ntl:Telewest Business. “We wanted to give IT managers a
choice to add another layer of employee authentication, which would
make it even harder for intruders to access their intellectual
property. With employees having to provide two pieces of
information to identify themselves before they are granted access
to the corporate network, the IT manager can rest assured that
their information is secure end-to-end, whether a user is in the
office, on the move, or working from home.
“By adding this solution to our remote working
portfolio, we are responding to this demand for enhanced security.
As the service leverages cloud-based technologies it requires no
up-front networking investment, so it is very cost-effective and
quick to deploy,” said Mr McGrath.
Flexible working is revolutionising working practices in the UK
with its ability to improve work/life balance and enable cost and
environmental savings. The widespread availability of high-speed
broadband connections has made it comparatively simple to grant
workers remote access to company networks. Ultimately compliance
with flexible working practices will be made easier as businesses
and public sector bodies become satisfied that their sensitive data
is secure.
Neil Hollister, CEO and Chairman, CRYPTOCard, said “As workforce
mobility and remote working strategies continue to evolve so the
need to ensure trusted and secure connectivity becomes paramount to
any remote access offering. As the market leader in providing
technically advanced, adaptable and cost-effective managed
authentication solutions we’re delighted that ntl:Telewest Business
has chosen CRYPTOCard as its partner to underpin its enhanced
authentication services.”
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