ESET Secure Authentication: New Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) System Protects Passwords and Prevents Data Breaches

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Feb 21, 2013, 12:00 ET

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ESET®, the leader in proactive digital protection, today announced the general availability of ESET Secure Authentication™, a two-factor authentication (2FA) software solution for small and medium businesses (SMBs). This simple and highly efficient application makes use of remote end-users' mobile devices to deliver a one-time password (OTP) when they connect to company networks, providing added security to the network and the device. ESET Secure Authentication is available immediately through the ESET North America partner network.

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"The 2FA market represents a significant opportunity for ESET and for our network of ESET value-added resellers (VARs)," said Andrew Lee, CEO, ESET North America. "ESET Secure Authentication is simple to use, easy to administer and provides a critical layer of security for remote users. We believe the market for software-based authentication is healthy and growing, and we want to make sure SMB customers have access to critical security options that work the way they work."

According to a recent report by Frost & Sullivan, the global OTP market will approach US $1.1 billion by 2016 and the software OTP segment is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 10.3 percent. Poor passwords and unsecured remote network access make every business a potential target and a potential customer. With millions of passwords compromised each year, many companies have already experienced data loss, damage to their reputations and decreased revenue. Cybercriminals don't just focus on the largest enterprises. As the threat landscape evolves, small businesses prove attractive targets.

"Criminal hacking is increasingly sophisticated and organized, and it is constantly growing in both scale and scope. What many smaller businesses don't realize is that they are an appealing target to cyber criminals—a tempting combination of opportunity, access, and potential return," said Stephen Cobb, security researcher, ESET North America. "If you're in business today and not employing multifactor protection on your systems, then you're putting your customers, your reputation and your livelihood at risk."

When customer information is on the line, passwords alone are not enough. A host of regulations compel businesses of every size to protect that information or face legal action which may include penalties, commerce restrictions and substantial fines. Examples of U.S. regulations that specifically require two-factor authentication include: Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS); Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC); the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), also known as the U.S. Financial Modernization Act; and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), which sets standards for all U.S. public company boards, management and pubic accounting firms. The list is long and growing, and underscores the importance that multi-factor authentication holds in the protection of customer information and key business data.

Designed to be very simple to install, easy to configure and convenient to manage, ESET Secure Authentication offers email protection for Outlook® Web Access/App (OWA) and connectivity protection for VPN customers who use RADIUS, the ubiquitous Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service networking protocol. Because the solution is both lightweight and readily administered, it provides SMB customers with a compelling total cost of ownership.

Product Availability

ESET Secure Authentication is immediately available in North America via authorized ESET resellers. The solution will be demonstrated during the upcoming RSA® Conference 2013 in San Francisco from February 25 through February 28, at booth #1638 in Moscone Center South. Following introduction in the U.S., the product will be released in select countries in Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America.

Key Benefits

Automatic Configuration: Installation of the mobile application is designed to be simple and seamless, starting with a "double-click" installer. The user clicks on a link in a text message sent from ESET to their device. This automatically installs and activates the application. Text-based SMS messages are supported for users who cannot install, or have not yet installed, the mobile application. The application itself will be available for download via Google Play™, the Apple® App Store, BlackBerry® App World or directly from ESET provisioning servers.

Familiar Management Environment (MMC and ADUC snap-in): Windows® operating system administrators will value the familiar Active Directory Users & Computers management tool and snap-in integration with the Microsoft® Management Console (MMC). ESET Secure Authentication is tested and supported on Windows® Server 2003, 2003 R2, 2008, 2008 R2 and 2012.

Broad Mobile Platform Support: ESET Secure Authentication utilizes users' mobile devices including iPhone®, Android™, BlackBerry®, Windows® Phone 7 and 8, Windows® Mobile, and J2ME-based devices.

Protection of Outlook Web Access/App Endpoints: OWA is integrated with ESET two-factor authentication via a native plug-in. The application prevents access to OWA until the user has successfully authenticated with their unique one-time password.

Protection of RADIUS Endpoints: RADIUS is the de-facto standard networking protocol for user authentication in the VPN market. RADIUS serves three functions: to authenticate users or devices before granting them access to a network, to authorize those users or devices for certain network services and to account for usage of those services.

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About ESET

ESET® is on the forefront of proactive endpoint protection, delivering trusted security solutions to make the Internet safer for businesses and consumers. For over 25 years, ESET has led the industry in proactive threat detection and its award-winning NOD32® Antivirus technology has detected 100% of the WildList Organization "In-the-Wild" malware samples since testing began in 1998. ESET recently received a 75th VB100 award and consistently earns high ratings from AV-Comparatives, Virus Bulletin, AV-TEST and other independent testing organizations. ESET NOD32® Antivirus, ESET Smart Security®, ESET® Endpoint Solutions, ESET® Mobile Security and ESET® Cyber Security (solution for Mac) are trusted by millions of users and are among the most recommended security solutions in the world. IDC has recognized ESET as a top five corporate anti-malware provider.

ESET has global headquarters in Bratislava (Slovakia), with operations in San Diego (U.S.), Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Singapore; and offices in Sao Paulo (Brazil) and Prague (Czech Republic). ESET has malware research centers in Bratislava, San Diego, Buenos Aires, Singapore, Prague, Kosice (Slovakia), Krakow (Poland), Montreal (Canada), Moscow (Russia) and an extensive partner network for more than 180 countries.