It’s no secret that the modern office has become increasingly mobile. It seems that everyone has a tablet or smart phone on them at all times. In fact, many businesses have implemented a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) campaign. CTO’s would be happy to give employees with different devices the ability to log in to work from their mobile device, but there has always been one thing standing in the way…SECURITY.

So how do you bring real security into the mobile space? Tx Systems has mobile solutions for iOS that combines the security of a closed network desktop with the mobility of a tablet or smartphone. The answer is a log on solution built with Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). PKI is a system for the creation, storage, and distribution of digital certificates that are used to verify that a particular public key belongs to a certain identity.

Tx Systems has several secure log on solutions for mobile devices that currently support Apple iOS (Andriod OS support to come). The first option, ideally for those with an iPad or iPhone, is the iAuthenticate reader. Used in conjunction with the necessary middleware provided by Thursby, this reader is FIPS 201 approved and supports standard ISO 7816 smart cards issued by the US Government. This reader is also compatible with Android, it would just require a micro USB adapter. Thursby’s middleware provides FIPS 140-2 secure access to web based email, portals and collaboration sites that require CAC or PIV authentication. The middleware/reader bundle will cost $139 and is currently available for pre-order.

iAuthenticate for use with Apple mobile devices.

For those that require even more authentication, the Tactivo for iPhone and iPad not only provides smart card authentication, it also provides biometric identification via a fingerprint reader. These features can work separately or combined. Both the iPad and iPhone cases support U.S. smart card credentials including CAC, PIV, PIV-I, TWIC, and the Precise Match-on-Card credentials used in many national ID programs. Since this reader is a case for your phone and not a plug in, you can authenticate while your device is plugged in to charge. The iPhone case starts at $249 and the iPad case starts at $299.

With the iAuthenticate and Tactivo readers available to support Apple devices, what about Android users? The truth is, there is no true android reader on the market currently that can provide strong authentication. There are a couple potential solutions, such as adding a micro USB connection to the SCR 3500 , but nothing that will be on the market in the very near future. However, when a reader for strong Android authentication becomes available, Tx systems will have a secure Android OS log on solution for your mobile device.

Charismathics CSSI PIV middleware not only supports the interoperability of CAC and PIV cards at the middleware level, but also the application level. The software is FIPS 201 compliant, approved by the GSA and supports all major PIV card vendors. But the real strength of Charismathics isn’t only its ability to work with Android – it works across multiple platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux and Solaris. With the BYOD initiative, CTOs must be able to adapt and secure a variety of devices. Charismathics is a single solution that can be used in conjunction with practically any device. More information can be found at the Tx System’s website.

The modern business office is an ever evolving landscape. With hardware and software developers always pushing the limits of technology, many employers are looking to future proof their business as much as possible. A business hoping to survive in the current climate needs to be able to secure data from a variety of mobile devices with a variety of operating systems.  Tx Systems provides organizations the ability to secure their mobile workforce while supporting a variety of devices and platforms.

– Zac Manor