OhioHealth Selects PhoneFactor™ over RSA Tokens for Two-Factor Authentication

Business Wire, Jan 15, 2008

Positive Network's PhoneFactor Service Enables Improved ROI Through Improved Management, Security and Ease of Use

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Positive Networks, the leading provider of hosted security services, today announced it has won OhioHealth, a regional healthcare organization serving 46 counties, as a customer for its new two-factor authentication service called PhoneFactor.

OhioHealth was looking for a two-factor solution to replace 4,300 RSA tokens which were proving to be high in cost and maintenance. Training new users and replacing each token was a major task. In addition to these management hassles, doctors on staff with several hospitals were required to carry multiple tokens. PhoneFactor's unique phone-based approach was selected over RSA secure ID tokens for its ability to eliminate implementation and maintenance hassles, provide ease of use and significantly lower overall cost. These benefits provided a significant cost savings for OhioHealth.

OhioHealth is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit healthcare organization serving and supporting Ohio's healthcare needs. Based in Columbus, OhioHealth is a family of 15 hospitals, 20 health and surgery centers, home-health providers, medical equipment and health service suppliers. OhioHealth employs more than 14,000 healthcare professionals.

PhoneFactor is a phone-based two-factor system that eliminates the need for expensive tokens, card readers and other devices. It works with any phone (land line or mobile). It can be installed, configured and managed in minutes. There is no concern about token expiration or synchronization; no smartcards to renew; nor any drivers or devices to manage.

The estimated cost for OhioHealth to continue their relationship with RSA was more than six figures. Using PhoneFactor, Positive Networks was able to provide OhioHealth similar security services for less than a fourth of the price, providing substantial cost savings. This cost savings only considered hard costs, and didn't include soft cost benefits of reduced IT management time.

"PhoneFactor eliminates the negative perceptions of traditional two-factor solutions," said Chris Marshall, SVP of Sales, Positive Networks. "With no token or device to deploy, no additional hardware requirements, and a much lower cost, PhoneFactor makes security affordable and simple for any size enterprise."

The basic PhoneFactor service is free. However, OhioHealth took advantage of PhoneFactor's Premium Modules which offer enterprise support, customization, advanced security and simplified large deployments.

PhoneFactor is a free service for organizations seeking a powerful yet simple way of authenticating end users for access to authorized business-critical applications. PhoneFactor is a complete two-factor authentication service that includes unlimited users for VPN appliances, Citrix, and Microsoft Outlook Web Access. It also includes free authentication calls within the U.S. In addition, a free Web SDK enables PhoneFactor to be implemented with any web or custom application, and is available online at www.phonefactor.net. Positive Networks provides additional premium features for a fee that eases deployment and operation of PhoneFactor. This includes multi-server support, directory integration, international authentication, reporting and auditing, and support and product maintenance packages.

PhoneFactor is ideally suited to replace smart cards and tokens for a variety of applications that require strong authentication, such as business applications like Citrix, Outlook Web Access, SAP and more. It is also compatible with VPN solutions such as Positive Networks PositivePRO, Juniper, Cisco, Aventail, SonicWALL, F5 and more. The uses for PhoneFactor are limitless.

About Positive Networks

Positive Networks is the leading provider of hosted security services, including the award-winning PositivePRO VPN service and the PhoneFactor two-factor authentication service. PositivePRO VPN service provides secure remote access and endpoint security without an SSL VPN appliance, and PhoneFactor, the industry's first easy-to-use phone-based two-factor authentication service. Both services can be set up quickly, and include 24x7 end user and IT administrator support.

Unlike traditional VPN solutions, PositivePRO is easy to implement, and requires no hardware for IT managers to purchase, install or maintain. The managed service combines a client-based VPN, a clientless, web-based SSL VPN and remote desktop control into a single remote access service that scales to support thousands of users. Positive Networks' PhoneFactor service enables two-factor authentication using any phone, instead of requiring expensive tokens. PhoneFactor makes two-factor authentication available for anyone that needs security when accessing critical information.

Positive Networks was awarded "Best-in-Class" Managed SSL VPN Service Provider for SMBs by Stratecast Partners and was an AlwaysON AO100 selection. PositivePRO is a 2006 IT Week Magazine, Network Technology, Service Provider Weekly, Security Week, PC News Weekly, Hosting Weekly, and WebWeek Magazine "Editor's Choice" selection, and an Info Security Product Guide Product Excellence Award winner for Best SSL VPN Managed Service. The company was a finalist for a 2007 SC Magazine Excellence Award. PhoneFactor is a 2008 SC Magazine Finalist for best multi-factor solution. For more information, please call 877-668-6536 or 913-499-4188 or visit www.positivenetworks.com or www.phonefactor.net.