Review: Authenex Strong Authentication System

Authenex Strong Authentication System (ASAS) is described as a network security application that provides strong (two-factor) authentication for remote, VPN and web access. This would appear to sum things up quite well and Authenex provides a variety of software tools to support this goal.

The physical implementation is in the form of a USB chip token, as is increasingly the case with such products, and Authenex provided 27 assorted tokens, together with the associated software, in the biggest box I have ever seen for such a product. They had also taken the trouble to print out the PDF manuals, which are quite comprehensive and include quick start guides for Microsoft dial-up networking, Check Point VPN and Cisco universal VPN client. Each of these is clearly presented and the systems administrator should have little difficulty in setting up a suitable environment, providing he or she takes things slowly and one step at a time.

Integrating the ASAS functionality into a large or otherwise sophisticated network will probably prove to be a non-trivial exercise, but the documentation does step you through this in a logical fashion. This involves the establishment of administrator keys and use of the special color-coded license keys.

An ASAS Web Management Console is provided with which to administer certain aspects such as key management, and also provide for a number of useful reports, including successful and failed authentication attempts.

This is the type of product which would probably suit the larger organization that is particularly interested in remote access over public networks (ASAS is a RADIUS authentication server), as well as protecting local information such as specific intranet content. Its capabilities would appear to support such requirements well, and it has been well considered from an architectural perspective.

It is also the sort of product which one would not rush into implementing without a very well conceived and understood security policy, supported by an equally well-conceived infrastructure.

Coupled to proper planning in this context, the Authenex ASAS product should help the informed systems administrator to deliver a workable and secure access solution.

For:

Comprehensive support for remote access.

Configuration can be complex.

An undoubtedly capable product for the experienced systems administrator.