TriMet Enhances Security with YubiKey Authentication

PALO ALTO, Calif. and STOCKHOLM, Aug. 03, 2011 — Yubico, a provider of easy and secure login solutions, today announced that TriMet has increased security and saved money by replacing their previous legacy authentication solution with the YubiKey.

TriMet provides public transportation for the Portland, Oregon metro area and had been using legacy security tokens for authenticating their remote users. Due to the increased cost and security concerns with the previous solution, TriMet started evaluating alternative authentication technologies and found that the YubiKey was the best fit. The YubiKey did not only provide a higher level of security, but was easier to use and offered a free and open source RADIUS authentication software package.

“Our cost to replace every token was less than the first year of maintenance would have been had we stuck with our previous solution,” said Michael Crino, Network Communications Systems Engineer II at TriMet. “Plus, YubiKeys are easy to use, appear to be extremely durable, and I appreciate the extra security of being able to program them with your own secret key. Working with Yubico has also been refreshing; it is not too often that we get to work with a company that is amazingly helpful, responsive and goes through great pains to make their product open and interoperable.”

The YubiKey simplifies the process of logging in with a One-Time Password (OTP) token as it does not require the user to re-type OTPs from a display device into the login field of the computer. The YubiKey is inserted in the USB port of any computer and the OTP is generated and automatically entered with a simple touch of a button on the YubiKey, without the need to install any client software or drivers. The rugged, ultra-thin, battery-free, crush safe and waterproof design has also been fundamental to the success of the YubiKey, currently used by a million users globally.

“Providing an open source solution where organizations have the option to generate their own cryptographic secrets and manage authentication themselves is one of the keys to the success of the YubiKey,” said Stina Ehrensvärd, CEO and founder of Yubico. “We are pleased that the successful implementation of the YubiKey at TriMet has helped the organization provide easy and secure authentication for their users.”

About Yubico

Yubico sets new global standards for simple and secure access to computers, mobile devices, servers, and internet accounts.

The company’s core invention, the YubiKey, delivers strong hardware protection, with a simple touch, across any number of IT systems and online services. The YubiHSM, Yubico’s ultra-portable hardware security module, protects sensitive data stored in servers.

Yubico is a leading contributor to the FIDO2WebAuthn, and FIDO Universal 2nd Factor open authentication standards, and the company’s technology is deployed and loved by 9 of the top 10 internet brands and by millions of users in 160 countries.

Founded in 2007, Yubico is privately held, with offices in Sweden, UK, Germany, USA, Australia, and Singapore. For more information: www.yubico.com

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About TriMet

TriMet is a municipal corporation providing public transportation for much of the three counties in the Portland, Oregon metro area. TriMet operates a comprehensive transit network including a 52-mile MAX light rail system, 79 bus lines, 14.7 mile WES Commuter Rail, service for seniors and people with disabilities, and enhanced amenities and information. For more information, visit www.trimet.org.

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