Multifactor authentication is the present and the future

Security is important for users and employees to be able to use digital systems in a safe way. Schjønhaug AS helped Encap AS develop its solution for iOS.

Text: Writbeat – Translation: Maria Vole

Cyber security is a growing industry. According to a report from Accenture, most organizations spend about 10.9 percent of their IT budget on cyber security. Encap is a company that creates solutions for multifactor authentication and digital signatures. They are used by financial institutions and companies around the world. When they needed help with the development of their iOS solution, they wanted to hire a consultant who was skilled and trustworthy.

“I knew Schjønhaug AS well and knew that they had the knowledge and skills we needed. If I need a consultant on a project, they are usually the first ones I call,” says Johan Sörmling, managing director at Encap.

Cyber security is on the agenda

Security and authentication technology involves a lot of cryptography and heavy mathematics. This is a challenging field where you don’t want just anyone to work with your solutions.

“We don’t do rocket research, but it is not that far off either. One must be alert and willing to learn new things. That’s why it’s very important for us to use consultants we know we can trust,” Sörmling says.

In the Accenture survey, more than 4 out of 5 respondents stated that cyber security tools have become much more advanced in recent years and have made the organization better equipped against attacks. This is supported by statistics, since the figures show that the number of security breaches has decreased by 27 per cent in recent years.

According to Sörmling, an increasing number of companies and institutions are taking cyber security seriously. They understand that secure ways to log in to websites and systems for users and employees are needed. In the past, it was generally thought that a username and password would be sufficient, but it doesn’t provide the level of security needed in today's digital world. Weak passwords can give criminals the opportunity to do serious damage to a business.

“Usernames and passwords will probably always be there, but you can see that most people have begun to understand that multifactor authentication is very important for keeping information and data safe and secure,” says Sörmling.

Mobile authentication leads to good customer experiences

Most companies around the world now have a digital presence, since this is crucial when it comes to being competitive in today's market. Mobile authentication is not only a lock and key to accessing the service, but is also the customer's first encounter with the company, and it shapes the entire customer journey on the platform.

“We say that mobile authentication is about the entire customer journey – logging in, transactions and communication,” says Sörmling.

Encap delivers solutions that create trust and increase customer engagement. They enable businesses to have secure apps that work seamlessly every step of the way. A good app with a bad authentication function quickly turns into a bad customer experience.

“A good mobile authentication is crucial to create a good and secure customer experience. Therefore, it’s very important that our solutions are both secure and user-friendly. Schjønhaug helped us with precisely these main components for iOS when he worked for us,” Sörmling concludes.