Throughout 2004, MCI is strengthening its security features to include anti-fraud protection, stronger authentication, desktop policy enforcement as well as adding Secure Socket Layer (SSL) VPNs.
Beginning next month, MCI will deliver an anti-fraud solution for its Remote Access customers that allows for the identification, notification and termination of fraudulent customer traffic, which occurs when an end user's account is compromised by an unauthorized user.
The company also will enhance its authentication capabilities through the introduction of Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) to its Remote Access solutions this fall. The integration of EAP directly into the MCI global IP network will enable the ability to scramble user passwords before they cross the network, as one example.
MCI is modifying its Access Manager client to be aware of other desktop applications, such as personal firewalls or anti-virus clients, while enabling administrators to push breaking security updates to traveling or remote workers. With the integration of application awareness into its remote access platform, IT managers will be able to configure end-user computers to prevent access if key security applications are not working properly.
The company also will roll out a centrally-managed personal firewall this spring, leveraging Sygate technology.
And SSL VPN is immediately available from MCI. That service provides Remote Access customers with a clientless VPN to encrypt, authorize, and authenticate access to enterprise data resources and applications from anywhere, any device and any network environment. The service is based on technology from Aventail Corp.
