The TNS Authentication System authenticates using a username and password in combination with a mobile or fixed-line telephone service. As such, it does away with the need to issue smart cards, USB tokens, electronic or time-stamped authenticators, the company said.
The TAS system simply checks the calling line identification, or CLID, from a mobile or fixed line telephone against a user database to recognize authorized users. The system is cheap to run because the CLID information is transmitted without the need to actually answer a call, so eliminating the need for an authentication server to supply a one-time password by SMS, voicemail or any other method.
