Electronic authentication
Our electronic authentication services include:
Authentication of your online customers - VIP Online Security is a two-factor authentication solution that provides an extra layer of protection and safeguards your customers against unauthorised access to your online services and electronic networks.
Authentication for digital certificates - our KeyPost service is a government-accredited identity check for individuals and business applying for digital certificates from certification authorities.
Authentication of your online customers
If your business provides online services of any kind, you'll be well aware of the increasing frequency and sophistication of online crime including phishing, key-stroke logging, trojans and other internet scams. Such attacks can expose your organisation to financial losses and damage its reputation. They can also undermine the confidence of your customers when it comes to doing business with you online.
Australia Post's VIP Online Security service is designed to help protect your network from hackers and safeguard your information against online theft and fraud. It provides an extra layer of security for your business, staff and customers when they interact with you online.
How VIP Online Security works
VIP Online Security is enabled by VeriSign® Identity Protection (VIP) two-factor authentication. It requires your customers or staff to present two security factors when accessing your online services:
- something your customer knows, such as user name and password
- something your customer has, such as a mobile phone or a token that displays a one-time password each time your customer interacts with you.
The benefits for your customers
- Extra protection - VIP Online Security gives your customers peace of mind and confidence to transact online.
- Network sharing enables your customers to enjoy online protection with a single credential device when accessing any of the more than 50 VIP network member websites worldwide.
- The free* VIP mobile phone download option adds convenience for your customers, as they no longer need to carry a separate token (credential device).
The benefits for your business
- Extra security - using VIP Online Security mitigates the risk of providing services online and promotes use of your online services by creating a safe trading environment for your customers.
- The free* VIP mobile phone download option reduces the overall cost of providing tokens for your customers.
- Minimal start up costs - there is no upfront investment in infrastructure required and Australia Post does not charge licence fees or joining costs.
- Pay-as-you-go billing means you only pay for what you use. Once registered as a VIP network member, you pay for your service monthly based on the number of VIP credentials activated by your customers at the end of each month. The monthly fee includes unlimited validations of the one-time password. This converts the cost of online security from an upfront investment in infrastructure to a minimal monthly operating cost.
Providing tokens for your customers
We offer several options for you to make tokens available to customers who choose not to use the mobile phone option.
As a VIP network member you can:
- pre-purchase tokens upfront
- pre-purchase tokens and have them stored and delivered by Australia Post. We will despatch them with a personalised covering letter on your organisation's letterhead.
- direct your customers to our online token provisioning website. You can choose to have your customers pay for the token online, or have costs for tokens ordered online by your customers accumulated and charged back to you each month
- direct your customers to download the free* VIP mobile phone token.
How to become a member of the VIP network
To find out more about using the VIP Online Security service:
- call your Australia Post account manager
- contact us
About VeriSign
VeriSign is a trusted provider of internet infrastructure services for the networked world. Billions of times each day, VeriSign helps companies and consumers all over the world engage in communications and commerce with confidence. For more information, please visit VeriSign's website.
*A data fee may be charged by the mobile phone carrier for the initial download.
Authentication for digital certificates
If your organisation is a certification authority, we can provide authentication services for any digital certificates you offer.
Our KeyPost service is accredited by the Federal Government to perform identity authentication of individuals or organisations applying for digital certificates.
How KeyPost works
- To acquire a digital certificate, applicants fill out an application form online through the website of the relevant certification authority.
- The applicant then brings the printed form and evidence of their identity to an Australia Post KeyPost outlet for a face-to-face interview.
- Our counter staff perform an evidence of identity (EOI) check similar to a standard 100-point check. Once completed, we'll send the forms, certified copies of the EOI documentation and a receipt to our KeyPost Service Centre for further verification.
- Once complete, the KeyPost Service Centre advises the certification authority of the outcome - they then generate and issue the digital certificate.
Need more information?
To find out more about electronic authentication services:
- contact your Australia Post account manager
- email keypost@auspost.com.au