Credit union leveraging Crossmatch’s strong authentication platform

In an effort to secure access to all internal applications and eliminate costly password resets, the El Paso Area Teachers Federal Credit Union (TFCU) is deploying the Crossmatch DigitalPersona Altus strong authentication solution throughout its branch locations.

TFCU needed an authentication solution that eliminated the need for its employees to remember and manage multiple passwords and considered a variety of solutions, including password vaults, but chose the DigitalPersona Altus offering, which is based on non-repudiable biometric credentials.

“The DigitalPersona Altus authentication solution helps us accomplish three important goals,” said Louie Villa, Special Projects Administrator at TFCU. “We are securing access to our applications with strong multi-factor authentication, improving productivity and eliminating the cost of password resets.”

The DigitalPersona Altus solution allows TFCU employees to use their unique biometric credentials to clock in for their shift, log on to branch computers and securely access all TFCU applications such as FSP, Meridian Link, ADP and UCB Desktop.

“Our employees are excited about this change,” said Villa. “Branch staff appreciate that they no longer have to remember multiple passwords, and our help desk staff are able to focus on other critical projects now that they are not dealing with constant password-related help desk calls.”

TFCU leaders noted a significant enhancement to security as biometric credentials ensure the physical presence of identified employees and removes the risk of shared, written-down or lost passwords. The productivity boost has been swift, as well, with password-related help desk calls falling sharply from 30 per day to zero. The credit union has plans to add additional DigitalPersona Altus authentication features to continue optimizing physical and logical security.

“Financial institutions are looking for solutions that address their complex and evolving security challenges without creating complicated workflows that impede productivity,” said Richard Agostinelli, Crossmatch CEO. “Implementing biometric credentials removes the human factor and creates a solution that is both secure and usable. We are thrilled to see yet another financial institution leverage Crossmatch strong multi-factor authentication to elevate security and enhance productivity.”

Back in March, Crossmatch added smart features to its DigitalPersona Altus multi-factor authentication platform including new contextual and application-specific authentication capabilities that lets IT and InfoSec managers step-up security when it’s needed most and minimize end-user friction.

Article Topics

banking  |  biometric authentication  |  biometrics  |  credentials  |  Crossmatch  |  financial services  |  identity verification  |  Richard Agostinelli