RISMEDIA, Nov. 6, 2008-MLSListings Inc, a Silicon Valley-based regional Multiple Listing Service (MLS), announced the launch of an innovative online security initiative featuring the A-OK On-Demand service from Arcot Systems. Selected for its ease of use and powerful capabilities, the A-OK On-Demand service transparently protects the identities and data of MLSListings’ users.
According to the company, MLSListings is using this solution for user identity verification as part of MLS data security initiatives. Similar to security used in the online banking industry, MLSListings’ deployment of the A-OK service simply requires a user to select 4 validation questions and answers that may be used at a future time to verify the user’s identity. Behind the scenes, the system provides multiple layers of protection including dynamic risk-based authentication and two-factor authentication completely in software.
“The exchange of data is the livelihood of the MLS, and we are protecting our users by integrating the Arcot A-OK technology into our software offerings,” said MLSListings’ President and CEO, Jim Harrison. “Simple passwords are no longer enough protection to ensure security of proprietary data. This enhanced security software offers a more powerful solution and is easier to use and manage. There is no external token that can be lost, damaged or stolen – this system is built-in, flexible and convenient.
Benefits of MLSListings’ approach to enhanced security include:
• Ease of use and manageability on both the subscriber and operations side
• Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) – this industry-accepted standard addresses authenticity, confidentially, non-repudiation and data integrity and acts as an extra layer of security against online threats because the password is actually never transmitted
• Hosted in SAS 70 certified, PCI DSS-compliant data center
• Scalable to millions of users
“Our strong authentication experience went very smoothly. The process was simple; the support from MLSListings was outstanding,” said Chuck Colliver, president of Century 21 Alliance, “Our associates are looking forward to an expanded reach of MLS services through MLSListings’ upcoming alignment with the Bay Area Quattro system.”
“Nothing is more important than maintaining accurate and secure online data,” said Jeff Barnett, vice president and Regional Manager of Alain Pinel Realtors. “MLSListings’ makes it easy to validate your identity, and it isn’t disruptive to my agents’ day-to-day business.”
MLSListings says that it strives to continually improve their best-in-class service offerings. Upcoming releases include the launch of a reciprocal access and data-share initiative with the MLS of the San Francisco Association of REALTORS® (SFAR), Bay Area Real Estate Information Services, Inc. (BAREIS) and MetroList. Starting December 15th, real estate agents and brokers who belong to any one of the four MLSs will be able to sign-on to their primary MLS and through the secure single sign-on process go directly to any of the participating MLSs.
Facilitating more than $40 billion in real estate transactions in 2007 and nearly 50,000 transactions, MLSListings Inc is home to nearly 19,000 subscribers in the Bay Area. When the data-share initiative is launched, it will initially serve 54,700 brokers and agents from 19 Northern California counties and cover a market area of more than 29,000 square miles with a population of 8.7 million. With the addition of three East Bay MLSs in 2009, the data-share will grow to 70,000 brokers and agents.
