Internet Solutions (IS), a leading converged communications service provider, has announced IS Secure Connect - an outsourced remote-access solution that allows mobile and remote users secure access to company resources from anywhere at any time.
"Utilising features such as SSL VPN technology and strong two-factor authentication, this solution has been developed to provide companies with complete control and peace of mind around their remote access requirements," says Hayden Lamberti, Manager of IS Application Solutions.
Increasingly, there is a demand for mobile and remote workers to connect securely to the corporate network, thus adding to the existing security concerns that face companies today.
IS Secure Connect includes physical end-user credit card, one-time password (OTP) tokens. These tokens have two important characteristics:
* Tokens have a liquid crystal display that displays a six- to eight-character pass code with a single token assigned to each end-user.
* The two-factor authentication tokens allow for strong authentication and non-repudiation. These tokens can be used in conjunction with any device (laptop, cell, public access point, phone, etc) or medium of connectivity.
Complete security and control
* Complete integration into onsite domain solutions such as AD, allowing companies to control the rights and permissions for users in AD.
* No installation of software or configuring of end-user terminals; in fact, the solution is terminal agnostic, a user could use any terminal to access the network. This effectively means the card and Internet connection is all a user needs to access the corporate WAN.
* Terminals can also be checked for the presence and operation of third-party, best-in-class security applications, (eg, anti-virus, service packs or OS, spyware software verification to enforce company policy).
* Enhanced remediation capabilities instruct non-compliant end-users how to correct their security posture, easing management headaches and speeding productivity.
* Strong security and encryption protocols.
* Powerful monitoring and reporting capabilities to track access requests and usage.
"The problem with passwords is that it is too easy to lose control of them," says Lamberti. "People give their passwords to other people; they write them down, and other people read them; they save them locally on their PCs in case they forget them; they send them in e-mail, and that e-mail is intercepted; they are used to log into remote servers, and these communications are eavesdropped on. Passwords are also easy to guess, and once any of that happens, the password no longer works as an authentication token because you can never be sure who is typing in that password.
"Two-factor authentication mitigates this problem. If your password includes a number that changes every time you login, or has a unique reply to a random challenge, then it's difficult for someone else to intercept. You can't write down the ever-changing part. An intercepted password won't be usable the next time it's needed. And a two-factor password is almost impossible to guess," he says.
Pricing starts at R50 per user per month for one to 25 users, decreasing with increased number of users. There is a once-off set-up fee of R2 000.
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Internet Solutions (IS) is Africa's leading New Age telco, offering end-to-end converged communication solutions to our clients. The people at IS are passionate about constantly innovating and delivering solutions and services that are relevant and critical to their customers. These services are built on a world-class, secure, resilient infrastructure, delivered according to global best practices and effected in partnership with the world's leading technology vendors. It is through these services and solutions that IS creates a competitive edge for customers' communication needs, and promotes sustainable business growth.
The business was founded in 1992 on the principle of developing a robust infrastructure in order for corporates and other organisations to communicate. Since then, IS has established itself as a leader in this space, attracting over 80% of South Africa's top businesses as clients. From listed companies to non-governmental organisations, local and national government and smaller companies, IS is enabling and evolving communications to meet the business needs of thousands of customers.
The company enjoys partnerships with major global players such as Cisco and Microsoft and holds Microsoft Gold Certification in the Hosting specialisation for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration (Hosted Exchange and SharePoint) and Managed Hosting Solutions - the first South African company to achieve this accreditation and was the first company outside of the US to be certified as a Cisco Managed Security Service Provider.
Today the company enjoys a leadership position as it delivers services including: hosting, access, security solutions, virtual private network, mobile solutions, VOIS, African solutions, broadband and application services. Recent growth in the African economy has resulted in IS spreading its services across all parts of the continent as clients demand reliable and robust networking connectivity in the African market.
For more, visit us on www.is.co.za.
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