The Signify authentication service is part of a Group-wide VPN (Virtual Private Network) remote access system to improve services for staff and reduce telecoms, support and implementation costs. Over 150 N&P employees are already using the service including insurance brokers and surveyors working for Hockleys Professional, a subsidiary providing specialist property services including valuations, surveys and consultancy.

The N&P VPN servers are configured to communicate with Signify's Managed Authentication Service over encrypted Internet connections. Signify operates the resilient authentication infrastructure in multiple secure Internet data centres, while N&P's administrators are able to manage every aspect of their service via the Signify Identity Management Centre (IMC) web portal.

"We can manage the set-up and day-to-day running of our authentication service, add new users and handle most issues, thanks to the powerful IMC," said Chris Cornish, N&P's Group Data Security Manager. "In addition, Signify's 24/7 End User Helpdesk allows our staff to self-help themselves should they lose their token or forget their PIN any time of day and night without contacting our IT Service Desk"

Signify's IMC also allows Group-wide security policies and control to be managed centrally while delegating routine operations to administrators in regional offices and subsidiaries. To ensure 100% availability, N&P has implemented twin fail-over VPN servers and the Signify service is configured to work against whichever system is active.

Stephen Mulley, N&P's Head of IT believes that the Signify authentication service has delivered considerable benefits to the Group. "We now have a secure, fault-resilient and easy-to-use remote working service that allows our Group employees to work from home or other location. Signify's service was implemented rapidly with minimum disruption to our day-to-day activities and we enjoy the benefit of leading edge security, without having to maintain detailed technical expertise in-house."

"With remote access and flexible working becoming increasingly popular across companies and public sector organisations of all sizes, the Signify 24x7 managed service approach gives our customers strong authentication without the headache of running it themselves," comments John Stewart, Signify's Director of Sales and Marketing.