Like most Cloud based services user access to the Microsoft Office 365 suite of business productivity and collaboration tools is via a public Web interface protected by a simple user-name and password protocol. For organisations that are attracted by the significant cost savings offered by moving business applications to the Cloud this can mean compromising corporate security standards if the organisation decides to adopt this approach.
A Microsoft© accredited 2FA solution, Swivel supports SAML and ADFS authentication protocols enabling organisations to seamlessly add a two-factor or strong authentication layer to the Office 365 user access procedure. This approach enables users to access their corporate network resources as well as their Cloud applications using the same, highly secure authentication protocol.
How does it work?
It is simple, when users need to access their Office 365 applications the authentication request is redirected via the on-premise Swivel server where they use their PIN and the PINsafe protocol to generate a one-time-code exactly as they would when logging in to the corporate network via a VPN or other remote access technology.
What are the benefits?
- Security
UNP authentication delivers limited protection against a determined hacker and does not fulfil the compliance requirements for either PCI DSS of Government security standards. Adding Swivel 2FA technology to the user access management process means that user information is under local control and protected by the corporate security policies and technologies.
- Integrated User Provisioning
Most IT managers would agree that managing user access to multiple applications can be extremely challenging particularly when it comes to ensuring access privileges are revoked once the person leaves the organisation. Swivel’s Radius based technology can be integrated with the company Active Directory to provide a common user management system for both on-premise and Cloud applications.
- Set-up and Configuration
Swivel is available either as a physical or virtual appliance as well as a software only option to install on a preferred hardware/OS platform licenced on a low-cost, per user basis. Set-up and configuration is via an intuitive management dashboard which includes PIN change and reset functionality. With a range of integration options including VPN, Web and Cloud applications Swivel can be deployed across the entire network infrastructure or just specified applications in line with business requirements.
