How Will Future Technologies Change Two-Factor Authentication?

In these times, passwords are losing their effectiveness. Hackers can now input millions of passwords every second to crack your code. Even now, professionals are working on new solutions which can jumpstart online security. While using a password is still an ideal choice, there are plenty of other options that are being discussed in the two-factor authentication field.

The Current State of Things
According to Processor magazine, there are four main types of two-factor authentication which currently exist:

• One-time password hardware tokens: These allow for a one-time login using some form of external hardware, such as a smartcard. Smartcards are small, pocket-sized cards whose internal circuitry can be used for authentication purposes or even data storage. This makes it difficult for a hacker to access restricted information without the required smartcard.
• One-time password software tokens: These include software-based login credentials, such as a PIN number sent directly to a smartphone. This method prevents hackers from accessing restricted areas without the secondary login credential, putting a halt to any remote login without that code.
• USB Keys: This is an emerging technology which could prove useful in the future, which acts like any other physical key would. Just like a key opens the door to a house, the USB Key unlocks specific content, such as Google Apps or Google Chrome. Just insert the key into the USB port in the PC, and it’s unlocked.
• Biometrics: Using the body as a key to unlock certain services isn’t a new concept. You see it all the time in sci-fi movies, with eye scanners and voice-recognition software. The real deal is now available, and even fingerprint scanners are found on some modern laptops as a login credential.

The Future of Two-Factor Authentication
Frank Dickson, the industry principal of Frost & Sullivan, doesn’t see simply one cohesive future for two-factor authentication, but sees many different paths it could take. These paths will be designed to collaborate and work together to achieve better overall data security. The future of two-factor authentication will rely on a four industry standards:

• Think on the grand scale. Even with two-factor authentication, companies are going to need to do better if they want to take their data security seriously. Enterprises must consider a broader access plan, or Identity and Access Management (IAM) capabilities. This includes integrating more powerful methods of enforcing who has access to information and from where.
• Multi-factor authentication should be integrated ASAP. If your business is still utilizing single-factor authentication, such as passwords and usernames, simply the act of integrating two-factor authentication can jumpstart your data security machine.
• Smartphones will play a leading role. Due to the increasingly mobile trend of smart technology, it’s believed that smartphones will be a two-factor authentication juggernaut in the near future.
• Be aware of the best known standards. Stay ahead of the latest threats by researching the best ways to integrate two-factor authentication, and the latest developments concerning data security.

If your business wants to be prepared to step into the near future, you are going to need two-factor authentication. Data security is important, especially as new and powerful threats are being created every day. Macro Systems can help your business arm yourself for the coming war with two-factor authentication. Give us a call at (703) 359-9211 to learn more.