Replacing Passwords With Strong User Authentication

Market Wire, April, 2008

A new research report on "Strong User Authentication: Best Practices at Assuring Identities," published by Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), reveals that organizations that have deployed non-password methods of authentication to provide higher assurance for online identities exhibit superior capabilities in protecting data and managing risk. The term "strong user authentication" refers to methods other than username / password which are used to establish user identity.

The relentless trends towards de-perimeterization have required most organizations to provide more end user populations with expanded access, to a broader set of data and applications, over a wider range of supported access methods. For companies with top performance, providing higher levels of assurance for the identities of these end users is a critical element of a deliberate security governance, risk management and compliance infrastructure.

"The research shows that virtually all (98%) organizations surveyed continue to rely on username / password for authenticating end users to control access to systems, networks, data and applications," said Derek E. Brink, vice president and research director for IT Security, Aberdeen. "Shockingly, nearly two-thirds of all respondents (64%) currently do not even require passwords to be changed. Among companies with top performance, however, fully 80% have also deployed at least one stronger, non-password method of user authentication."

A complimentary copy of this report is made available due in part by the following underwriters: Quest Software and RSA, the Security Division of EMC. To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?cid=4652 .

About Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company

Aberdeen is a leading provider of fact-based research and market intelligence that delivers demonstrable results. Having benchmarked more than 30,000 companies in the past two years, Aberdeen is uniquely positioned to educate users to action: driving market awareness, creating demand, enabling sales, and delivering meaningful return-on-investment analysis. As the trusted advisor to the global technology markets, corporations turn to Aberdeen™ for insights that drive decisions.

As a Harte-Hanks Company, Aberdeen plays a key role of putting content in context for the global direct and targeted marketing company. Aberdeen's analytical and independent view of the "customer optimization" process of Harte-Hanks (Information - Opportunity - Insight - Engagement - Interaction) extends the client value and accentuates the strategic role Harte-Hanks brings to the market. For additional information, visit Aberdeen http://www.aberdeen.com or call (617) 723-7890, or to learn more about Harte-Hanks, call (800) 456-9748 or go to http://www.harte-hanks.com .

© 2008 Aberdeen Group, Inc., a Harte-Hanks Company
260 Franklin Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110-3112
Telephone: (617) 723-7890
Fax: (617) 723-7897
 www.aberdeen.com 

Media Contact: Derek E. Brink Aberdeen Harte-Hanks (617) 854-5254 Derek.Brink@aberdeen.com