Phone Based Two-Factor Authentication and Voice Biometrics Combine for Strong Security and Irrefutable Electronic Signature
CHICAGO & SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Michael Neumann, an independent real estate agent in the Chicago area would worry about the confidentiality of offers he would pass to prospective clients via email. Having recently used the document management and signing process developed by DocuSign and secured with Two Factor out-of-band authentication from Authentify, Neumann no longer worries about who is picking up his proposals sent online. "The application lets me drop documents into a secure envelope and indicate that the recipient must be able to answer the phone number I trust for them to open that envelope," said Neumann. "If you can't answer the phone, you can't open the documents. It makes you wonder why no one tied these things together before."
The combination of the DocuSign's e-signing process employing authentication and biometrics from Authentify was introduced June 30, 2010, the tenth anniversary of the signing of the ESIGN Act. First customers went live in late July and more than 35,000 documents have been protected and signed since introduction. John Zurawski, vice president at Chicago-based Authentify, noted that the security strength and audit trail are attractive features of the service. "On the surface, it's as easy as answering any phone call. Behind the scenes, the call is synchronized to the Web interface while a voice recording and a voice biometric are captured. The voice technology creates a positive link to the person signing the documents. The audit trail is undeniable."
Dr. Judith Markowitz, PhD., an internationally recognized consultant and thought leader in the speech and biometrics industries, also tested the process. "I found the DocuSign electronic signing process straightforward and very easy to use," said Markowitz. "The fact that a security savvy company like DocuSign has incorporated Authentify's telephone based out-of-band authentication process is a validation of the value of voice and voice biometrics as an enabler in the electronic signature space."
Authentify and DocuSign are pleased with the initial uptake of the combined offering. Both are looking to further expand into markets where cloud computing and electronic documents are replacing the exchange of paper, but security and confidentiality are still requisite.
About J. Markowitz Consulting
J. Markowitz, Consultants is an internationally-recognized thought leader in speech recognition, biometric speaker authentication, speech analytics. J. Markowitz Consulting provide detailed monthly reports and analyses in the areas of voice biometrics & biometric competitive landscape and standards activities plus subscriptions to monthly monitoring reports in these areas. visit www.jmarkowitz.com or phone 773-769-9243 for more information.
About DocuSign, Inc.
DocuSign, Inc. is the global leader in electronic signature. DocuSign provides the world's largest and fastest growing electronic signature platform, empowering businesses to complete transactions online quickly and securely while improving compliance and dramatically reducing costs. www.docusign.com
About Authentify, Inc.
Authentify, Inc. pioneered interactive telephone-based, out-of-band authentication services introducing its services in 2001. These authentication services enable organizations that need strong security to quickly and cost-effectively add 2-factor or 3-factor authentication layers to user logon, transaction verifications or critical data changes such as adding a payee to an e-pay or wire account. Authentify markets to financial services firms, corporate security professionals and e-merchants who want to limit fraud on their sites.
Authentify implemented its first biometric application for a Midwestern regional bank in 2004. Visit Authentify at www.authentify.com or call 773-243-0300 for more information.
Contacts
Authentify, Inc.
John Zurawski, 773-243-0328
john.zurawski@authentify.com