Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an identity and access management security method that requires two forms of identification to access resources and data. 2FA gives businesses the ability to monitor and help safeguard their most vulnerable information and networks.
Businesses use 2FA to help protect their employees’ personal and business assets. This is important because it prevents cybercriminals from stealing, destroying, or accessing your internal data records for their own use.
The advantages of 2FA are endless. For example, with 2FA, there’s no need for users to carry or download a token generator, or an app associated with one. Most websites use your mobile device to text, call, or use a personalized 2FA for their business to verify your identity.
Some other advantages of 2FA include:
• There’s no need to use a hardware token generator. These types of 2FA methods are often lost or misplaced. However, with advanced technology, 2FA methods are more convenient than ever.
• Passcode generators are more efficient than traditional passwords. Generators are the safer option because no two passcodes are the same.
• Max passcode entry prevents cybercriminals from hacking and accessing sensitive data.
• The process is manageable and user-friendly.
There are different authentication methods when using two-factor authentication. Here’s a list of some of the most popular options.
Businesses can give their employees hardware tokens in the form of a key fob that produces codes every few seconds to a minute. This is one of the oldest forms of two-factor authentication.
Push two-factor authentication methods require no password. This type of 2FA sends a signal to your phone to either approve/deny or accept/decline access to a website or app to verify your identity.
SMS, or text messaging, can be used as a form of two-factor authentication when a message is sent to a trusted phone number. The user is prompted to either interact with the text or use a one-time code to verify their identity on a site or app.
Voice authentication works in a similar way to push notifications, except that your identity is confirmed through automation. The voice will ask you to press a key or state your name to identify yourself.