University of Texas deploys ‘invisible authentication’ technology for faculty and staff
19 August, 2014
category: Digital ID
Online security firm Toopher has deployed its location-based, multi-factor solution at the University of Texas at Austin. The institution’s 24,000 faculty and staff members will use Toopher’s “Invisible Authentication” technology for all financial services, including payroll data and access to W2s.
UT employees can download the Toopher app and pair their phone with the service for free. A secure, out-of-band authentication channel is used to push details of a login request.
“Using the location-awareness of a mobile device, Toopher can automate authentication based on a user’s normal behaviors,” says Toopher CEO Josh Alexander. “The first time a user logs in, Toopher sends them a push notification with pertinent details of the request, and they either hit ‘Allow’ if it’s them or they can ‘Deny’ to immediately prevent online fraud.”
Users can automate future logins when their phone is in that specific location. Alexander says the new technology – which went live on campus in early July and was created at UT Austin – is user friendly.
“Securing university employees in a manner that is thorough, but also simple and non-intrusive to them was paramount to us,” says Cam Beasley, Chief Information and Security Officer at UT Austin. “That we could accomplish our goals with an authentication solution that was built right here on campus was fantastic.”
The university is considering an expanded rollout to students as well.