MINNEAPOLIS — With heightened emphasis on security these days, Minnesota Building Trades Federal Credit Union gave its previous password-only system the thumb and implemented a biometric security software solution provided by Sig-Tec Corporation.
Now, in order to access the $97 million FCU's systems you need a fingerprint in addition to a password.
"We have machines that are not behind the teller line and we wanted to ensure that if we walked away that nobody could get in there," explained Leesa Husak, president/CEO of the FCU. "Of course anything done on those machines are done under a fingerprint now. You can't deny that you did something. Not that it was a problem before but it does add another level to your security."
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With NCUA pushing for stronger user authentication, the FCU's goal was to integrate a product that would provide multi-factor secure access on its systems while avoiding confusion or inconvenience to staff members logging into the system. The integration of Sig-Tec's MPD and SPD software, enterprise security solutions and audit software, combined with Silex biometric fingerprint readers to strengthen the security of its computer systems was "smooth and uneventful," Husak said. "It took a little while to adjust to the learning curve because you just can't haphazardly slap your finger on there or you'll get rejected," Husak said. "But after the [staff] worked with it they really didn't have much of a problem." Sig-Tec's security software can either enhance existing user IDs and passwords or completely eliminate the need for those same traditional barriers to user data access through the use of proximity, biometrics and token systems and devices. The company can work with everyone's single sign-on solution to help enhance security systems, said John Sherman, vice president, sales and marketing at Sig-Tec.
Single sign-on solutions are basically for convenience and don't really provide secure log on and authentication capabilities, Sherman said.
"Think of it like the doorway access that you see on banks and hospitals and other businesses," Sherman explained. "They have some kind of card reader where they gain access to the building. You can use that same technology for your user population–a proximity card–to securely log on and authenticate with a desktop or laptop computer, either stand-alone or through the network. These types of options provide a peace of mind that information on your system is secure beyond mere words."
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