Multifactor Authentication

Multifactor Authentication

User authentication has become imperative these days as cyber crimes have increased and so have incidents of hacking, phishing and identity theft. When every day we make use of facilities that the world of the internet provides us we also make ourselves vulnerable to these crimes that are perpetrated by unlawful people. As the world is coming closer because of the internet, almost all businesses are identifying the tremendous potential that going online offers; greater networking space, a wider reach and a huge database of potential clients to play with. But along with this comes the challenge of security from hackers of company and personal information provided by clients and users.

Authentication therefore becomes extremely important so that it can be ensured that the user is who he claims to be and is allowed access only to the areas that he is allowed. One of the simplest forms of authentication is the basic authentication system where only a username and password is required to gain access to a particular piece of information. This method is used mainly for non secure locations or for sites that are not high security.

But for most of your banking and other financial transactions the two factor authentication system or the multifactor authentication system is better suited as this system provides greater security by providing a layered approach to access information.

Authentication, however, cannot exist in isolation. It has to co-exist with identification and authorization. A multifactor authentication system ensures that these three controls of identification, authorization and authentication function seamlessly and in tandem with each other.

In order to understand the technology of multifactor authentication, it is important to know the three types of authentication processes. Authentication processes are generally guided by either something that you have such as a smart card, Secure ID etc; something that you know such as a log in id and password, Pin etc and something that you are such as your fingerprint, iris scan etc.

These methods when used alone are secure but do not provide a high level of security that one is looking for. In a multifactor authentication system two or more of these methods are combined to function together in harmony so that the network becomes a lot more secure.

In a multifactor authentication system the two factor authentication system is the most popular because of its usability, effectiveness and low operational costs. In this system two of the authentication modes are combined together to get an authorization. For example, a PIN number and a random secure id number that is generated by a token can be used in conjunction with one another to gain access to a particular network. The classic example of this system is the ATM card where something that you have (the ATM card) is used in conjunction with something that you know (the PIN). Most online banking providers also use this authentication method to make their network and site secure.

Simultaneously, a three factor authentication system can also be made with the addition of biometrics. Along with the use of the authorized card and subsequent PIN number, individual authentication is further guaranteed with the addition of finger prints or iris scan. Post the confirmation of these three factors and access to the network or information is granted.