The Future of Two Factor Authentication

By: Scott Jarvis
Submitted: 2008-04-11 21:34:03
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There has been a lot of controversy lately surrounding Two Factor Authentication.  Watching and partaking in the controversy are two camps.  One camp of supporters who believe that two factor authentication is the future of security measures and a second camp to believe that because the technology has been proven to be vulnerable that it will slowly fade and give way to a newer more comprehensive security technology.

I stand with the camp who believes it to be the best type of security we currently have.  The technology, when used properly online can help makes important sites such as banking and credit sites much more secure than they previously where when only a password was required.  Microsoft has even begun implementing various types of Two Factor Authentication into various parts of their business.  Further proving that the technology works PayPal made use of this technology recently and has incorporated it into their web services.  This has added a layer of security to their services that can’t be found with many other similar services.

Even with these companies adopting TFA and though the technology continues to improve there are many a naysayer all of whom claim that the technology is dead in the water for no other reason that it’s not perfect and has been compromised in the past.  A small part of me understands their concerns though I would have to propose this question.  What security program hasn’t been circumvented in some fashion?  Passwords are an outdated and severely vulnerable technology however many websites, and programs require nothing more.

I have always felt that while it may be an imperfect technology so are ninety nine percent of all others.  With that in mind I also feel that Two Factor Authentication is often misunderstood.  Certainly many vendors and those in favor of the technology tout it as the be all and end all to security technology which makes it an easy target for detractors looking to downplay its importance and benefits.  If you are able to look at like all other technologies, recognize that it’s an imperfect yet growing technology, and that many businesses have found great success with it, it’s not hard to understand why it is the best type of security we currently have.

In closing I’d like to add that while it has its issues, I see Two Factor Authentication becoming an industry standard in a short amount of time. Things like biometrics and Authentication 2.0 further my feelings on the future of this security.  With so many businesses adopting TFA, it’s only a matter of time before other businesses follow suit.

Scott is an avid tech enthusiast who believes in both Two Factor Authentication as well as Authentication 2.0.

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