USA - AT&T is using soft token authentication for mobile workers

[prnewswire] AT&T has announced the addition of soft token authentication support to AT&T Token Authentication Service, which helps mobile workers more easily protect commercial and government resources using software on smartphones and laptops. A soft token is the software equivalent of a traditional hardware token, which generates a one-time passcode that authenticates a user's identity to enable highly secure access to private networks.

AT&T Token Authentication Service is based on market-leading RSA SecurID® authentication solution from RSA, The Security Division of EMC. It is engineered to provide two-factor authentication to help protect networks and applications from access by unauthorized users and malicious hackers, while allowing authorized end-users to access virtual private networks (VPN) and remote access applications, Web servers and operating systems. Two-factor authentication is based on a password or PIN in combination with a software authenticator providing a more secure level of user authentication than static passwords.

"This new offer from AT&T helps commercial and government customers and their remote workers stay connected in an easier but still highly secure manner," said Edward G. Amoroso, Senior Vice President and Chief Security Officer for AT&T. "CIOs and IT managers continue to look for new ways to protect their mobile workers and data, with more than 60 percent of enterprises using authentication methods other than simple passwords for workforce remote access to enterprise networks, according to Gartner."(1)

The addition of soft token authentication to the AT&T Token Authentication Service enables users to conveniently access commercial and government private networks by installing RSA SecurID software tokens on personal devices. Additionally, consolidating the RSA SecurID token with a critical business device decreases costs associated with lost and misplaced tokens.

"We are delighted to continue our ongoing relationship with AT&T, one of our key Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) alliances," said Bill Taylor, Senior Director, Global Channels and Alliances, RSA, The Security Division of EMC. "At RSA, we help the world's leading organizations solve their most complex and sensitive security challenges. Combining our security products and solutions with AT&T's expertise provides customers with more choices, and extends the security features provided by RSA SecurID authentication to the mobile channel."

AT&T delivers a suite of security and business continuity services to help assess vulnerabilities, protect infrastructure, detect attacks, and respond to suspicious activities and events. More information on AT&T's managed security services can be found at www.att.com/security.

Mobile Access to Private Networks Made Easier With AT&T Token Authentication Service