Pulse Secure reduces cost and complexity of Strong Authentication to Enterprise Resources with Google Authenticator

Two-step Strong Authentication to business resources using free Google smartphone app for Android and iOS


SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwired - September 20, 2016) - Pulse Secure, the leader in secure access solutions has announced an update to its Pulse Connect Secure mobile VPN platform that allows any connection to be secured using Google's free two-factor authentication system, Google Authenticator, without requiring customers to deploy other costly and complex authentication systems.

"Two factor authentication used to be considered only viable for high security use cases, due to cost and complexity. However, the growth in organized cybercrime has seen the technology spread to even consumer areas such as Facebook and Twitter," explains Prakash Mana, head of product for Pulse Secure. "Google Authenticator is an open standards based approach that utilizes employee smartphones to simply and easily deliver strong authentication."

Google Authenticator is an application that implements two-step verification services using the Time-based One-time Password Algorithm (TOTP) and HMAC-based One-time Password Algorithm (HOTP). The app is available for Android, iOS, BlackBerry and does not require the use of a Google account or any connection to Google services.

Pulse Connect Secure uses a policy based, self-service enrolment capability to allow administrators to quickly secure all applications, including SaaS applications like Office365 while dramatically reducing IT management overheads.

"Building 2FA into the VPN layer with technology such as Google Authenticator is an interesting approach to extending security while reducing the cost and complexity burden for IT administrators." said Rik Turner, Senior Analyst, IT Infrastructure Solutions, Ovum. "With the popularity of smartphones and pervasiveness of internet connectivity, more organizations will undoubtedly look to deploy similar types of solutions to enhance security. Such an approach can help overcome the issues posed by insecure passwords, which are susceptible to brute force attacks, or can simply be stolen by a skilled hacker."

The new Pulse Connect Secure v8.2R5 update is free to existing customers with an active support contract as part of Pulse Secure's Protection Services. For more information, visit https://www.pulsesecure.net/connect-secure.

About Pulse Secure

Pulse Secure, LLC is a leading provider of secure access and mobile security solutions to both enterprises and service providers. Enterprises from every vertical and of all sizes utilize the company's virtual private network (VPN), network access control (NAC) and mobile security products to enable end user mobility securely and seamlessly in their organizations. Pulse Secure's mission is to deliver secure access solutions for people, devices, things, and services. www.pulsesecure.net

Follow us at @PulseSecure on Twitter or visit us on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Contact Information:

Media Contact:
Anne Harding
The Message Machine - PR for Pulse Secure
+44 (0)7887 682943
anne@themessagemachine.com