As we predicted almost a year ago (OBR 119), PassMark Security's two-factor authentication system is proving popular. We've heard the usability arguments, we've read the security blogs pointing out the weaknesses, and we even had doubts ourselves after using the system on our Bank of America account.

But the overriding fact of the matter is, if it's good enough for Bank of America and its 15 million users, it's good enough for anyone. While no other major U.S. bank has signed on, the announcement today that Fiserv would make the system available to its 5,000 clients, coming on the heels of the Feb. 28 endorsement from S1 Corporation with 1,000 clients, means the system may win the small and midsize markets.

As further evidence, the company recently announced several new clients including North Island Credit Union <myisland.com> (125,000 members) and Schools Financial Credit Union <schools.org> (100,000 members), who touted their pioneer status with this PR-quote-of-the-year candidate:

"…Schools Financial Credit Union will be one of the first financial institutions in the country to act on Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council guidance that strongly recommends banks and credit unions implement multi-factor authentication by the end of 2006."

Finally, the company made a splash on the other side of the Atlantic by aligning with Alliance & Leicester <alliance-leicester.co.uk>, a major financial institution in the United Kingdom with five million customers. It's a company we've previously singled out for its flashy website and marketing prowess (NetBanker Feb. 23, 2005).

With the launch of the Alliance program last month (see screenshot right), Passmark is now in front of 20 million users worldwide, demonstrating a spectacular first year for the Silicon Valley startup.

—JB

Previous articles:
Online Banking Report: June 30, 2005, Marketing Security
NetBanker Oct. 12, 2005: Scottrade to use Passmark
NetBanker May 26, 2005: Bank of America unveils multi-factor security for consumer accounts