India's Punjab National Bank (PNB) has implemented user authentication and password management technology from US-based Aladdin Knowledge Systems which it will use to manage staff access to its internal networks.
The bank has been rolling out the vendor's USB-based key-sized eToken smart card devices to staff across its 4520 national branches since November 2006.
Around 2500 eToken smart cards have already been issued, while another 5500 units will be deployed during Q2.
Staff are required to use the token to access its real time gross settlement (RTGS) system, its structured financial messaging platform, its multimedia messaging service and an e-procurement application.
R I S Sidhu, general manager, IT, PNB, says the bank decided to forgo using traditional smart cards and deploy Aladdin's USB-based eToken because it offers "considerably more ease of use and doesn't require the purchase and management of readers".
Commenting on the implementation, Shlomi Yanai, VP, Aladdin eToken business unit, says: "PNB illustrates a growing trend toward arming employees with a simple, yet powerful smart card-based method of proving their identities."
Aladdin says the PNB deal was secured by its local partner Mikroz InfoSecurity.