SecurEnvoy secures access to T-Mobile corporate systems

(25/07/2007)

T-Mobile has enabled its remote workforce to use their mobile phones to gain secure access to corporate systems, thanks to a three-year deal signed with SecurEnvoy. Three thousand UK employees are now using SecurAccess, SecurEnvoy's two-factor authentication solution that transforms mobile phones into virtual tokens. An additional 2,000 T-Mobile staff are the first to register for SecurICE, SecurEnvoy's new emergency service that enables them to access the company's network immediately and securely if they are prevented from coming in to work.

Instead of using tokens or smart-cards, the SecurAccess system will strongly authenticate T-Mobile's remote workforce by sending a passcode to their mobile phones. When users wish to log on to the corporate system, they simply enter their Microsoft User ID and password, and then the passcode that has been pre-enabled on their mobile phone. Once the passcode has been used, it is superceded with a new one sent to the phone.

Users who have been registered for SecurICE will receive passcodes should emergencies like bad weather or transport failure keep them away from the office. SecurICE enables them to access the network securely at a time when many companies make themselves vulnerable by adding users to the system without adequate authentication.

T-Mobile expects to make considerable savings by swapping from token-based two-factor authentication to SecurAccess. The user licence is cheaper than purchasing, replacing and distributing tokens, and deployment costs are lower with no need for extensive training courses.

Darren Westmore, Programme Manager - Mobile Strategy, at T-Mobile said: "We're a mobile phone company and it's important that we live up to our brand. We want to make mobile and remote working as easy as possible, while still maintaining the highest levels of security. But running 3,000 secure tokens was proving to be a major overhead, and wasn't user-friendly. SecurAccess has eliminated those problems. But the best thing about it is that SecurAccess and SecurICE strengthen our own messages about mobile phones, and gives a new layer of functionality to our own products, strengthening our brand values even further. We're drinking our own champagne with this deal."

Adam Bruce, UK Channel Manager of SecurEnvoy commented, "Winning the T-Mobile account is something that we are very proud of at SecurEnvoy. Who better than a mobile phone company to understand and endorse the power of mobile phones! They are also the perfect partner to be the first to use our new SecurICE service, which no other authentication vendor can deliver. We are proud to be the innovators of authentication; we are delivering the next generation now."

Related topics:  Authentication and identity management   Computer and PC Security   Mobile and Wireless Security   Network Security 

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