Star adds two-factor authentication for remote access to private clouds

Cloud provider Star has launched a service that provides two-factor authentication protection for corporate networks and private cloud deployments.

ActiveEdge Authentication sends a one-time passcode to smartphones and tablets via SMS to allow remote and mobile staff to access internal systems.

The subscription service runs through Star's private cloud platform, and is charged on a monthly per-user basis.

Star believes that the service will appeal to enterprises having to deal with employees switching from company-owned devices to third-party systems.

"ActiveEdge Authentication is the simplest way for businesses to get started and use advanced security measures because we take care of the technical details," said Star proposition marketing manager Phill Harber.

"They can add and remove users to match their security requirements and costs in line with their needs."

Two-factor authentication combines conventional usernames and passwords with a one-time randomly generated code, and has grown in popularity in recent years as malware writers increasingly seek to harvest sensitive credentials.

Companies such as PayPal have long offered platforms that send codes to a special key-fob device, and cloud service providers such as Google and RSA have begun to develop two-factor systems that send codes directly to a mobile device.