CHICAGO, Nov. 18, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U.S. educational institutions are expanding their remote learning programs nationwide but are grappling with federal mandates to irrefutably prove online students are actually taking courses and tests themselves. To meet this challenge, Authentify , a pioneer in online identity verification in e-commerce and financial services, offers Authentify Educational Services powered by Authentify xFA that use voice biometrics on mobile smartphones to authenticate remote online students.
Authentify is demonstrating the new services for the first time at the Sloan Consortium International Conference on Online Learning, Nov. 20-22 in Orlando, Fla. in Booth 303 , and at a showcase event on Nov. 21 at 9:40 a.m.
The educational offering provides an end-to-end voice biometrics and mobile phone-based identity verification service customized for educational institutions' remote learning programs. xFA replaces passwords with a mobile xFA app that scans an on-screen, short-lived cryptograph--a digital image that, when scanned, activates a public key infrastructure (PKI) digital certificate for strong authentication--and turns a smartphone into a powerful authenticator that delivers server-to-server class endpoint security with no effort from the end user or the educational institute.
Authentify Educational Services include voice biometric client applications for mobile phones , a secure out-of-band (OOB) network connection and an identity verification and authentication service that is easily integrated into any distance learning program.
"Ensuring the user of an online property is the same user each time is something for which Authentify's biometric process is ideally suited," said John Zurawski, vice president of sales and marketing at Authentify. "No other technique makes direct, reliable and irrefutable contact with the actual person behind the keyboard."
As with all industries, the Internet and Web have created massive opportunities within online learning, but identity assurance is a challenge. In the U.S., the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 is intended to broaden the availability of quality education to those who might be unable to physically or financially attend a school location. At the same time, the Act mandates identity verification for remote learning programs. Institutions that offer distance education must put in place " processes through which the institution establishes that the student who registers in a distance education course or program is the same student who participates in and completes the program and receives the academic credit."
The International Conference is a solid venue to present the value of voice in authentication processes. Authentify's voice biometric process places a call to an online student while they are using courseware. The student is prompted to speak a particular phrase or numerical string during the call. The process can be used over any type of phone with all languages and dialects.
"Authentify's voice biometric process measures physical and behavioral characteristics of a user's voice," according to Zurawski. "It works with any language or phone."
A study by Ball State University indicated that 98.9 % of all college students have some kind of mobile phone. The student's computer is already an integral part of their classwork. Using a student's phone as an authentication tool is, therefore, a natural step.
About Authentify, Inc.
Authentify, Inc. pioneered the use of telephone-based out-of-band (OOB) authentication services, first introducing the concept to the security space in 2001. Authentify excels at adding strong security with two-factor and multi-factor authentication delivered via easy-to-use, user-centric work flows. Authentify's services are used globally in online banking, e-commerce, healthcare and corporate security and anywhere a wired property owner must be sure who is on the end of an Internet connection.
For more information, visit Authentify at: www.authentify.com .
© November 2013, Authentify, Inc.
Authentify is protected by numerous granted and pending U.S. and International patents including U.S. PATENT NOS. 6,934,858 / 7,383,572 / 7,461,258 / 7,574,733. / 8,458,774
Deb Montner Montner & Associates, Tech PR 203-226-9290 dmontner AT montner.com
