RSA Security's solution for secure mobile and remote access allows Union Bank of California to increase the productivity and efficiency of employees and improve management of their digital identities, while at the same time providing customers with a secure method of accessing account information and executing online transactions.

Union Bank of California, with employees and customers located across the country and throughout the world, needed a secure method for allowing its increasingly mobile workforce to access the bank's virtual office. This system allows users to access enterprise applications and files via the Internet, wherever they are located. As with any financial institution, identity theft is a major concern for Union Bank of California. With cases of stolen identities rising as much as 73 percent in the past couple of years according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the bank wanted to take the appropriate measures to prevent network intruders from impersonating legitimate users and stealing sensitive company and customer information. In addition, the bank foresaw an opportunity to enhance its customer service by providing commercial customers with a more secure method to make wire transfer requests and view check images. A strong authentication solution helps ensure the privacy of confidential information and contributes to an overall security program that meets regulatory requirements.

"We have thousands of users around the globe that must have access to our network-based resources to effectively service customers in a very competitive market," said Bob Justus, senior vice president, corporate information security, Union Bank of California. "Before we could realize the benefits of an empowered, remote and branch office workforce, it was imperative that we took every effort to mitigate the risk of potential unauthorized access. RSA SecurID technology met the security requirements for both our own organization, as well as our customers."

RSA Security's two-factor authentication solution provided the best feature set, ease-of-use and cost of ownership to meet Union Bank of California's needs. The RSA SecurID solution was deployed internally as the cornerstone of the bank's identity and access management strategy. High-risk security devices, servers and applications throughout the organization require users to identify themselves with a password and the six-digit random code generated by the RSA SecurID token. Union Bank of California employees carry RSA SecurID tokens to access the bank's Citrix® MetaFrame XP(TM) Presentation Server from their home offices. The tokens provide an extra layer of security in order for them to access the Citrix web interface, which gives employees a desktop-like environment and the ability to run applications enabled by the Citrix MetaFrame Server via a browser. RSA ACE/Server® software provides the company's IT department with a cost-effective, easy-to- manage tool for managing user identities.

Externally, Union Bank of California uses the RSA SecurID solution to ensure commercial customers are empowered with time saving secure remote access capabilities. Each customer uses an RSA SecurID token to authorize transactions, which helps the bank enhance customer service. RSA ACE/Server software is used for both the employee and commercial customer applications, which reduces complexity and lowers overall system costs.

The RSA SecurID system is the world's most widely used two-factor user authentication solution. It is as simple to use as entering a password, but significantly more secure. Used in conjunction with RSA ACE/Server software, an RSA SecurID authenticator functions like an ATM card for a company network, requiring users to identify themselves with two unique factors -- something they know (a password or PIN), and something they have (in this case, an RSA SecurID key fob token) -- before they are granted access to secure business information.

"Financial institutions succeed largely based on their ability to instill trust with customers," said John Worrall, vice president of worldwide marketing at RSA Security. "The RSA SecurID solution is ideal for organizations like Union Bank of California who want to secure their critical infrastructure, comply with federal regulations such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and establish a trusted relationship with their customers."