Tata Communications, a communications provider has entered into a partnership with SafeNet Inc, a data protection provider, to provide cloud-based multi-factor authentication as a managed service – globally. A first-of-its-kind service in India, the cloud-based delivery model enables busineses to implement an additional security layer that verifies the legitimacy of a transaction and secures access to corporate networks.
The rise of enterprise trends, such as bring your own device (BYOD), increased use of cloud-based services and network-based application deployment, makes added user authentication measures vital – especially within industries such as e-commerce and banking. Tata Communications’ cloud-based multi-factor authentication offers both hard and soft token authentication, creating a layered defence system, which makes it more difficult for unauthorized personnel to access a computer system or network.
Srinivasan CR, Vice President, Global Product Management, Data Center Services, Tata Communications says, “Identity and access management are anchors for security. However, traditional multi-factor authentication services require on-premise hardware investment, maintenance and the right skills for management, which together act as a deterrent for deployment.”
“Our multi-factor authentication service gives customers easy access to a customizable cloud-based model, which is hosted in Tata Communications highly connected global data centers. The increase in the number of powerful end-user devices, coupled with intelligent and networked applications, makes secure access a vital ingredient to anytime, anywhere access for employees, partners and customers,” adds Srinivasan.
Prakash Panjwani, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Data Protection Solutions, SafeNet, says, “Rising threats, risks, and vulnerabilities as well as changing business requirements, emphasise the need for a strong authentication approach. Our partnership with Tata Communications will allow businesses to feel secure about their cloud and mobility initiatives. It will enable an extra layer of safekeeping that is imperative when adopting a holistic security infrastructure while keeping the cost of implementation down. Customers will benefit from a strong, integrated platform that will help them identify and implement more secure solutions for protecting their most valuable information.”
Multi-factor authentication is delivered via tokens that generate a constantly changing key code that is used in addition to the usual static password. The token provides a supplementary layer of security as only authorized users are provided with these tokens. Based on the user preference, the tokens can be installed on computers or mobile devices. Tata Communications supports this process with a 24×7 helpdesk.