Google Apps gets improved security

By Dave Nixon

Premier users of Google Apps users now have a more secure method to log on to the online groupware service, following Arcot Systems announcement that it was making its A-OK On-Demand authentication service available to the system.

The agreement applies only to Google Apps Premier Edition.

Normally Google Apps users enter a username and password to gain access to the web-based mail, calendar and groupware software, however with the A-OK product they additionally leverage an encrypted file that is stored on their computer to insert a second factor of authentication.

Similar to online banking products, if the user attempts to log on from a different computer, A-OK will ask preset questions, such as “What high school did you attend”, before granting the user access to Google Apps.

It is unparalleled that Google has partnered with someone to supply two-factor authentication for Google Apps, according to Eran Feigenbaum, senior security manager with Google Enterprise.

Since launching over than a year ago, Google Apps has added over 500,000 customers, however a number of of them require a higher level of security when it comes to signing on to the service, Feigenbaum said.

Feigenbaum anticipates that Arcot’s two-factor product will make Google Apps more attractive in markets where this type of strong authentication is a widespread requirement, such as the financial services and defense industries.