The Nishinippon Shimbun, Inc.

Nishinippon Shimbun Inc., headquartered in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, launched a DX project in 2020 to improve operations and increase revenue, and is focusing on developing new businesses, including the launch of Nishinippon Shimbun me, a charge-based online media outlet, in 2021. In 2019, the company will revise its network infrastructure and begin using Microsoft 365, and will also introduce HENNGE One, which provides multi-factor authentication and SSO (single sign-on) with HENNGE Access Control and secure file transfer with HENNGE Secure Transfer. HENNGE Secure Transfer enables secure file transfer to support a location-independent work style with enhanced security and convenience.

For this interview, we spoke with Shuichi Akeda, who is in charge of data marketing and DX promotion for the group.

Considering a multi-factor authentication service linked to Microsoft365 for secure data use outside the company

At first, we considered using the Windows stock security option, but although it had many functions, there were many functions we did not need and the cost was high. Then we came up with HENNGE One, which offered exactly the features we were looking for at an optimal cost. At the time, there were not as many services that provided multi-factor authentication and SSO as there are today, so we had no hesitation in selecting HENNGE One.

— What were the most important points in selecting HENNGE One ?

The most important factor was both security and convenience. We wanted to avoid anything that would require a lot of user effort due to the speed-oriented nature of our business as a newspaper company. In particular, we emphasized the need to prevent users from having to go through the hassle of using the system within our offices.

— What were you careful about when you made your application?

At the time, the need for zero-trust and multi-factor authentication was not as widely recognized as it is today. Therefore, I carefully explained to the management that this system was essential for the company’s future work style and business promotion, and that it was not a function but a purpose and necessity, without using difficult terminology.

Linkage with BI tools and groupware, and smooth internal deployment by providing SSO functions

— How many accounts are using the system and what services are linked to it?

Currently, about 1,300 people are using the system across the group companies. We started out with only Microsoft 365 integration, but since then, the use of cloud services has increased throughout the company, and the number of integrated services has also increased accordingly. Specifically, we have additionally introduced Tableau, a BI tool running on the Google Cloud Platform, and Kintone groupware, and have started SSO integration with cloud products other than Microsoft 365. Since the system is operating smoothly, we are planning to further expand its use across the group companies in the future.

— Was the internal deployment smooth?

At the time, multi-factor authentication using one-time passwords was not as familiar as it is now, and there was some confusion. However, the timing was right to start using the system in the cloud, and by offering the convenience of SSO, which allows logging in with a single authentication, I feel that resistance was eased. From the beginning of the study, we emphasized the importance of not making it a hassle, and it has been a success.

Excellent balance of security and convenience, contributing to operational efficiency in account management

— How do you see the benefits of introducing HENNGE Access Control?

On the user side, users can now safely access each system and use data from outside the company through multi-factor authentication with one-time passwords and entrance passes (cookie control) using smartphone applications. On the other hand, from inside the company, IP address control is used to separate internal and external access conditions so that users do not have to deal with the hassle of accessing the system. The advantage of HENNGE One is that the balance between security and convenience can be flexibly and appropriately managed depending on the settings.

HENNGE One also allows us to use cloud services in a secure manner, which lowers the barrier to adoption. Furthermore, the integration of account management into HENNGE One has contributed to the streamlining of administrative tasks.

HENNGE Secure Transfer is also used as a secure and easy-to-manage file sharing mechanism.

— Next, please tell us how you came to use HENNGE Secure Transfer.

When we adopted HENNGE One, we learned that it had a large file transfer function, so we started using it.

— What are the advantages of using HENNGE Secure Transfer?

Basically, when we send files to outside parties, we use this service instead of sending them as email attachments, because HENNGE Secure Transfer keeps a transmission log, which gives us peace of mind. However, after installing HENNGE Secure Transfer, such problems no longer occur. Another advantage is that files are automatically deleted after an appropriate period of time, eliminating the need for management. From the user’s point of view, we also like the fact that we can check whether or not the other party has downloaded the file we are sending via e-mail notification.

Highly evaluated for its stable operation without any problems for 4 years, and promoting DX to transform operations and business in the future.

— Please tell us again how you evaluate HENNGE One.

Newspaper publishing operations cannot be allowed to stop. In that respect, we have been using HENNGE One for four years and have never had any trouble that affected our business, and we highly evaluate its stable operation. It may seem obvious that we can use the system normally on a daily basis, but this is not the case with IT systems. Therefore, redundancy to prevent system problems, maintenance, and human costs to respond to inquiries are a major burden for companies. In this sense, the fact that HENNGE One is easy for everyone to use and operates stably has brought great benefits, such as reducing costs related to account management in the administration department.

— How do you view DX promotion? Also, please tell us about the direction you are aiming for as a company.

I see DX as “aiming to change the way we work. I feel that employees have become more aware of the need to change in line with major environmental changes such as the Corona Disaster and digitalization. About three years ago, the company launched the “Group DX Project” across the organization. I am also a participant in this project, and we are focusing on new business development, such as launching new services based on data on the behavioral attributes of newspaper readers, rather than merely reforming internal operations. In the process, I find many points where the conventional way of working does not work, and I feel that DX will move forward if we think not about “how” to change it first, but about “why” and “what,” such as how it should be and why it has to be this way.

— Are there any security issues that you would like to solve or focus on in the near future?

We have a security policy in place, but we have yet to establish more detailed internal rules and guidelines for use.

— Finally, please tell us about your future development plans and your expectations for our company.

The number of users of Microsoft 365 and other cloud services within the group will continue to increase, so we plan to expand HENNGE One accounts. In terms of new products, we are interested in “kickflow,” the cloud approval and workflow system for which we announced a capital and business alliance with HENNGE, and would like to hear about it. HENNGE has provided us with technical support for various infrastructure revisions and service linkages. We look forward to their continued provision of highly convenient security solutions that support our DX promotion.