RSA Security, the most trusted name in e-security(r), and Ernst & Young Global, a leading professional services firm, has announced that Ernst & Young Global has consolidated and enhanced its worldwide user authentication infrastructure by deploying RSA ACE/Server(r) 5.0 Advanced software. The upgraded infrastructure is designed to make it faster, easier and more cost-effective for Ernst & Young to roll out vital, new network access services to its country practices and their 110,000 employees around the globe.
The solution is also expected to reduce ongoing infrastructure management costs. Since 1997, Ernst & Young has relied on RSA Security authentication technology to protect its network perimeter. RSA SecurID(r) hardware tokens – easily recognised by the unique 6-digit passcode that changes every 60 seconds – are the standard authenticating device used by Ernst & Young partners and staff who require remote connectivity to the firm's technology resources.
Combined with a PIN, an RSA SecurID token helps enable its rightful owner to securely access Ernst & Young corporate resources, including an individual's local network resources, from any location worldwide. RSA ACE/Server software is the power behind RSA SecurID two-factor authentication, providing enterprise class performance and scalability, centralised user management and easy administration.
“In the past, the RSA ACE/Server infrastructure was managed at the country level by local IT groups,” said Chris Tindall, director of engineering and development for Ernst & Young Global. “Over time, our infrastructure has become quite complex and has grown to include 24 realms in as many countries. Any time we wanted to deploy a new service, each country had to make changes in its own environment before users in that country could enjoy the benefits of the service. Now that we have implemented the RSA ACE/Server 5.0 Advanced replication architecture, we have seen an opportunity to achieve significant efficiencies by consolidating servers and centralising administration.”
RSA ACE/Server 5.0 Advanced software is a next-generation security server designed to enable an enterprise to easily administer and authenticate user access to multiple Web-based applications. It is designed to support millions of users across multiple physical sites through robust features such as database replication — with up to 10 simultaneously authenticating servers — load balancing and LDAP v3 support. With these new capabilities, Ernst & Young was able to consolidate its existing 24 realms into just three, each aligned with one of the firm's three major business geographies – the Americas; Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and Asia Pacific. While site administration tasks remain under the control of the country IT groups – where they rightfully belong – infrastructure management tasks have been largely shifted to the hub facilities, where it is easier to maintain a concentration of skills and provide around-the-clock support.
“The major business benefit is our ability to quickly roll out new global services and to provide reliable security control for those services,” said Tindall. “Now, instead of modifying the infrastructure on a country by country basis, we can implement changes once and make them instantly available worldwide.”
Tindall noted that the consolidated RSA ACE/Server Advanced solution also offers significant savings on infrastructure management costs; reduced skills requirements at the country level; enhanced protection through more consistent enforcement of security policies; and the ability to provide 24×7 support. RSA ACE/Server Advanced can also significantly reduce the risk of downtime by providing robust disaster recovery through its replicated architecture.
“We are very happy with our long-standing relationship with RSA Security. Its technology is proven, provides a secure environment for our large workforce and has enabled us to streamline our business and save costs,” concludes Tindall.
John Worrall, vice president of marketing and corporate development at RSA Security, added, “Ernst & Young is widely regarded as an innovative user of technology in support of its global e-business. Leveraging the strengths of RSA ACE/Server Advanced software, the firm is able to provide enhanced services to its global workforce, better serve its worldwide clientele, and in turn reduce worldwide operating costs.”
About Ernst & Young Ernst & Young, a global leader in professional services, is committed to restoring the public's trust in professional services firms and in the quality of financial reporting. Its 110,000 people in more than 135 countries around the globe operate with the highest levels of integrity, quality and professionalism to provide clients with solutions based on financial, transactional and risk-management knowledge in its core services of audit, tax and corporate finance. The firm also provides legal services in those parts of the world where permitted. A collection of Ernst & Young's views on a variety of business issues can be found at www.ey.com/perspectives. Ernst & Young refers to all the members of the global Ernst & Young organisation, including the U.S. firm of Ernst & Young LLP. James S. Turley, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ernst & Young LLP, is also Chairman of Ernst & Young Global Limited.
About RSA Security Inc. With more than 9,000 customers around the globe, RSA Security is recognised as the strategic e-security partner to many of the largest and most successful companies leveraging the Internet to grow their businesses and improve their bottom line. RSA Security's comprehensive portfolio of e-security solutions – including authentication, Web access management and developer toolkits – helps organisations fully realise revenue opportunities while helping protect critical information against unauthorised access and other forms of malicious intent. RSA Security's strong reputation is built on its history of innovation and leadership, award-winning solutions and long-standing relationships with more than 1,000 technology partners.
