Delivering instant remote access is no longer just about remote employees. It's about enabling
customers to perform online transactions, mobile sales reps to access ERP applications, outsourced call centers to share the customer database, and more. While ensuring reliable, instantaneous access is a must, so, too, is the need to guard against breaches and ensure continuous compliance.
In this business environment, strong authentication-using multiple factors to ensure users are indeed who they claim to be-is vital. As they evaluate the alternatives, many organizations are opting to use SMS authentication, which offers a mix of convenience and security that make it ideally suited to many usage scenarios.
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SMS Authentication:
10 Things to Know-Before You BuySMS Authentication
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Introduction
Delivering instant remote access is no longer just about remote employees. It's about enabling customers to perform online transactions, mobile sales reps to access ERP applications, outsourced call centers to share the customer database, and more. While ensuring reliable, instantaneous access is a must, so, too, is the need to guard against breaches and ensure continuous compliance.
In this business environment, strong authentication-using multiple factors to ensure users are indeed who they claim to be-is vital. As they evaluate the alternatives, many organizations are opting to use SMS authentication, which offers a mix of convenience and security that make it ideally suited to many usage scenarios.
SMS Authentication: Promising an Unparalleled Combination of Security and Convenience
SMS authentication combines the security of two-factor authentication with the convenience and simplicity of mobile devices and SMS messages. The SMS authentication process can vary, but, generally, a user looking to gain remote access submits a request for a password, which is then fulfilled via SMS to the user's authorized phone. This password is then used to gain account access. SMS authentication can present a number of significant benefits:. Improve security. SMS authentication delivers two-factor authentication that offers a number of security advantages over basic user name and password access, helping provide a strong layer of protection for user access and identities. . Reduce security costs. Compared to hardware-based token approaches, SMS authentication can provide both significant up front savings-by reducing token purchases and distribution costs-and over the long term by streamlining administration and eliminating the cost of replacing lost tokens.. Boost deployment opportunities. By eliminating tokens from the equation and relying instead on ubiquitous mobile devices, SMS authentication brings two-factor authentication to a range of arenas where it would have been previously impractical-online banking, e-learning education portals, authenticating voice-based system access, healthcare sites, and more.
SMS Authentication: 10 Key ConsiderationsSMS authentication offers numerous advantages and benefits. In addition, its deployment characteristics can make it an ideal complement to an organization's existing security and authentication mechanisms. To assess whether SMS authentication fits their specific needs, business and IT managers should consider the following areas: 1. End User ConvenienceParamount to the success of any authentication initiative is that end users ultimately use the mechanisms in place-and don't suffer lost productivity as a result. Toward that end, decision makers should look for solutions that offer self-service activation so users don't need to wait for help from a support representative. In addition, the setup process should be intuitive, fast, and simple. 2. Broad Device SupportThe cost savings of SMS authentication, and the elimination of the need to buy, ship, and support hardware tokens, are undeniable. However, those savings can start eroding quickly if an SMS authentication solution necessitates the purchase of new mobile devices. Look for solutions that offer the broadest device support to ensure the devices your organization has today, and may acquire tomorrow, are supported.3. SMS Network SupportIn a given enterprise, users across an organization may rely on a host of networks, in various regions, during their daily work and travels. To be truly viable, SMS authentication mechanisms need to support all SMS service provider networks.4. Over-the-Air Deployment and ActivationTo realize their full deployment potential, SMS authentication solutions simply can't require that security teams have physical access to end user's mobile devices. Consequently, remote, over-the-air mechanisms-not only for initial deployment and activation, but for ongoing updates and changes-are essential. 5. Ease of ManagementFor the administrators of SMS authentication solutions, there are several factors for assessing efficiency. Does the solution offer seamless integration with existing user directories, such as LDAP and Active Directory? In the case of a lost or stolen device, can administrators quickly and easily revoke access? Also, look for so... [download for more]
