SecurEnvoy has developed a tokenless two-factor authentication method so that housing staff working remotely can easily and efficiently log into networks using devices such as smartphones.
SecurEnvoy lets housing providers and local authorities use smartphones, laptops or tablets as authentication devices. One method is to send a dynamically-generated password to the employee’s mobile device via SMS or email. The password received is then combined with the user’s login information to achieve tokenless two-factor authentication.
For many years, non-office staff at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London carried a dedicated, physical token, which generated access codes for network authentication purposes. However, tokens were frequently lost or left behind and the constant need to replace them led to increased operating costs.
Russell Hookway, network and telecommunications manager, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, said, “We had already given mobile phones to more than 1,000 employees so we wanted to make greater use of this investment and save on the cost of dedicated tokens.”
Dundee City Council also now uses SecurEnvoy’s tokenless two-factor authentication in order to address security concerns relating to location-independent network access by its staff.
Graeme Quinn, IT team leader, Dundee City Council, said, “We wanted to improve the security of our VPNs and liked the easy and secure network access process offered by an SMS-based method. Almost everyone has a mobile phone so the overall costs can be managed.”
