Dial-up Security Controls

PROBLEM ADDRESSED In a period of less than 5 years, the ability to access information using dial-up telephone lines and modems has grown to an extraordinary level. What began as restricted access to a single computer system has grown into the ability to explore millions of computers. With the ease of access has come the ongoing dilemma of how to maintain ease of access for those who have it and, at the same time, restrict access for those who should not have right of entry. Even with the growth of new forms of security, the predominant means of gaining access is still the user ID and password. As this security means proves less than adequate, other access control methods should be considered.