Progress to date - June 30, 2021:
Status Update: 100% complete
What's New
- The project team has successfully cutover to the new platform.
Overview
Objective
The enterprise is seeking a more cost-effective, modernized MFA solution utilizing technology that can grow to meet the future needs of the enterprise with reliable vendor support.
Current state
WaTech currently uses a third-party multifactor authentication (MFA) solution as a separate "bolt-on" module to SecureAccess Washington. Pricing is per user and as the growth of agencies seeking an MFA solution increases the expense of the current solution becomes cost-prohibitive. This project addresses cost containment for WaTech's MFA service by moving from per-user pricing to appliance-based pricing.
Future state
Improved technical stability - Implementing the IBM MFA solution will eliminate the existing solution which does not easily integrate with the rest of the SAW infrastructure and uses technology that requires greater customization and technical support from the third-party vendor. Moving to IBM will streamline the technology platforms WaTech technicians are required to support and reduces complexity for technical support by removing an additional third-party vendor. Moving to IBM will eliminate technical support issues WaTech and agencies are consistently experiencing with the current vendor.
Cost avoidance - Implementing a more cost-effective, integrated MFA solution with the existing WaTech authentication technology positions WaTech to more effectively and efficiently meet the needs of the enterprise with modern technology and reliable vendor support.
Benefits
This project aligns well with the tenets of the Enterprise Technology Strategic Plan and meets several of its principles, including:
Buy don't build - MFA is a subscription-based software solution and part of the IBM Security Manager Suite of software products. WaTech already uses IBM software for SAW authentication.
Solutions promoting accessibility- updating the MFA software for SAW will position WaTech to meet future MFA requirements by agencies and allow agencies to place more applications with secure data on line for consumer access.
Early value delivery of functionality - the IBM MFA solution will give WaTech greater access to independently manage MFA policies and configuration without vendor involvement. This will allow WaTech to respond quicker to agency requests and deliver future functionality earlier.
Modular implementation of features -the MFA software module is part of a suite of software and gives WaTech (versus the vendor) the capabilities and flexibility to implement functionality as requested by the agencies.
Consolidating common technology and services - implementing a modern MFA solution at the enterprise allows agencies to use the shared service and avoid each agency independently procuring separate MFA solutions.
Strategic technology investments to support common business needs/functions - MFA is becoming a common business need for agencies. Implementing a new MFA solution supports the strategic vision of the state for shared solutions across the state.
Maximize buying power and achieve greater cost savings - Replacing the existing MFA solution with a more cost-effective solution for the enterprise supports the goal to consolidate common technology and services. Additionally, the future MFA solution provides cost containment for the enterprise and avoids a cost increase to MFA services with the current vendor.
Improve constituent access to services - Improving the MFA solution will support agencies' desire to place more applications online for consumer access in the future. The more applications placed online will increase constituent access to data.
Security and Privacy - This MFA solution supports continuous improvement to the state's defenses and positions WaTech to provide additional security policies to agencies in the future.