When it comes to security vs convenience, it is hard to find a good balance. However, the GateKeeper proximity key solution provides both. It is a proximity key-based password manager for computers, websites, and software. This greatly reduces password mistypes, forgotten passwords, sharing passwords, and unlocked workstations. There are two groups of people that benefit from GateKeeper the most – users and IT managers. IT teams will have fewer helpdesk tickets related to passwords.
Start by choosing your authenticator: your phone or a physical key fob token.
You always need your token (wireless key) with you, Factor 1. Then can choose 1 of 4 ways to log in: automatically, pressing the Enter key, touching the key to the reader to scan in, or typing a PIN (Factor 2). Makes using passwords uncharacteristically easy by not having to do anything at all while being more secure.
After selecting your login method, simply carry your key with you and perform your chosen login action. Website and desktop applications also get their passwords auto-filled. The computer will always lock when you walk away.
- Wireless Unlock for Computers:
Have your key on you, and the computer unlocks. Too many passwords to memorize and constantly retype? A simple key can take care of all passwords and authenticating. Many industries also work with gloves (doctors, nurses, manufacturers, construction) or goggles and prefer not to have to type passwords every time they get to a new workstation. Touchless login is significantly more efficient for some professionals and heavily reduces touchpoints for all.
Works on Windows and Mac. Linux is in the works. The GateKeeper Enterprise version allows for multiple users to multiple computers. Also, after logging in to a computer with GateKeeper, passwords for software applications and websites also become automatic.
- Key Auto-Fills Web Passwords:
Cascading authentication. Conventional password managers still require a password to log in. With GateKeeper, you just need to log in with your phone or key within range of the computer for the password manager to auto-fill credentials based on presence. This also works on some software applications. If you do not log in with your Gatekeeper key, your web passwords will not be available – providing great security.
So your key gets you into your computer, then your bank accounts, social media accounts, work accounts, and software applications – all without typing a single password.
- Proximity-Based Continuous Authentication:
2FA normally involves authenticating at a point in time and that is it. GateKeeper uses continuous authentication to continuously challenge and make sure the authorized user is still present, otherwise, the computer will automatically lock. This is like having a private security guard escort your employee through all their password checkpoints until the employee leaves rather than just checking you in once for the day.
Simplifying password security and eliminating the memorization and typing problems. It also makes the enforcement of password policies more automated rather than dependent on people. Proximity-based login is also the fastest login since it can log you in before you even sit down.
- Actionable Intelligence:
Get detailed reports on computer usage, employee login times, and session lengths. This feature provides actionable reports with details on session times, website browsed, application usage, keystrokes saved, and other metrics. Reports help in identifying high-traffic workstations, underutilized workstations, productivity gaps, optimized employee attendance scheduling, and more. Some reporting features are listed below.
- Shows which computers are currently active on the network.
- All users currently logged in to any computer.
- Time logged in by each user at each computer.
- All lock and unlock events.
- Export to CSV.
With this feature, decision-makers can minimize inefficiencies in their workflow, see which computers have traffic congestions and which are being underutilized. This allows employees to better make use of their time.
Highly convenient for managing remote teams. Sharply reducing time spent on passwords and authentication helps to minimize the number of wasted hours – helping scale business and preventing inefficiency. Audits reports in one click make compliance and security easier to accomplish.
- Automatically Locks Computer:
The problem is that companies are trusting people. GateKeeper automatically locks the computer as soon as it detects that the logged-in user is out of range. Now, admins can trust users and users can get more done without worrying about compliance and locking computers.
One of the most persistent problems in IT security is that of unlocked computers left unattended. Most companies rely on a policy approach – telling their employees that it is policy to lock all unattended computers. However, the problem is that of consistency – people inevitably make mistakes, forget, and some people are more conscious of the rule more than others. Others rely on timeout policies, but this method still leaves a gap in exposure time. Also, many employees complain that it interferes with their workflow to have the computer lock on them while working. As long as your present with your key, the computer will remain unlocked.
Pricing
The authenticator Halberd authenticator set is $60 or the Android app can be used for $19.99 on the Google Play Store. The software is free for single users but requires a subscription on a monthly or annual basis.
Bottom Line:
Overall, automated passwords are not only convenient, they are more efficient for a productive workflow – since a user has even fewer steps to log in. People can get more done. Also, using a key is so familiar to getting into your car. We have a key for everything else, why not password keys?
