Have you ever been asked to provide a user name and password when logging onto a website? This type of authentication is referred to as single sign on authentication. If you were also asked to provide a pin number, token key or other form of secondary authentication, then you experienced 2FA or two factor authentication. This type of authentication creates a more secure environment for access data, especially for data contained on the Internet.

2FA Is an Effective Security Option for Different Online Applications

When you need to approve different types of documents, such as work orders, invoices, and purchase requisitions, you have two basic options available. You can manually sign each paper form using your signature. This is the traditional method for signing off on documents. However, this method can take time and delays are possible, especially when you are out of the office. Another method available is using your own e signature and electronically signing the documents.

You Can Prevent E Signature Forgery by Using a Digital Certificate

Public key cryptography is a type of security used to encrypt and decrypt information sent electronically. How it works may seem complicated to most people, however, the process can be broken down where anyone can understand the general concept. Cryptography uses two different keys, which are the public key and private key. The private key is used to encrypt the information, and the private key is used to decrypt the information. In other words, the private key locks the electronic information and the public key unlocks the electronic information.

Certification authority is one method which is used to manage security on a network. CA is even used when you access different websites which require a secure log in connection. How CA works is by generating a public key when the user requests one in order to decrypt data and other information electronically. When you first connect, your computer sends a request to the registration authority or server where the public keys are held. The server looks to see if you have been authorized to receive the public key, and, if so, then issues a certificate which contains the public key.

Accessing a private network from outside your organizations internal connections will require using a virtual private network, or VPN, connection. One type of virtual private network connection you need to access servers located in the United Kingdom is an UK VPN connection. This type of VPN connection will make the server think you are within the United Kingdom, even when you are traveling abroad.

You Can Get Stronger Security for Your UK VPN with Two Factor Authentication

Public key infrastructure or PKI is a type of security to send and receive data and other information electronically over the Internet, which is considered a public network. A public network is not a secured network - therefore, if you do not use some sort of security yourself, anyone has the potential to gain access to your data or information. A PKI certificate is a security certificate which you create and contains specific information to encrypt and decrypt information sent over the Internet.

There Are Different Components Which Make Up a PKI Certificate System

Using an electronic signature is slowly starting to replace signing different types of documents and forms within organizations. Using a digital signature provides organizations with several money and time saving features. First, there is all of that paper which is eliminated, along with the paper trail. Reducing the amount of paper used by an organization can be a major cost savings. Also, filing cabinets and storage space can be eliminated, which also provides a cost savings.

An Electronic Signature Also Saves an Organization Time

As more organizations are switching to cloud computing environments, protecting your data requires even more security. In the past when you ran your own in-house servers you only had to worry about security as it related to your employees. However, today, in an online environment, you also have to worry about outside attacks from unauthorized users, while at the same time providing access to your employees. One method which works well to solve this issue is to use two factor authentication.

Two Factor Authentication Adds a Second Layer of Protection

An RSA token is a type of security used in different computing environments. It the past, this type of token was contained on a smart card. However, today since all computers have USB ports, this type of token is now placed directly onto USB drives. When you log into a secure connection, the site checks to make sure you have proper access. It does this by first comparing your user name and password to the ones it has stored. Next, it looks for the token contained on the USB drive and uses the encrypted data within the token to perform a second level of authentication.

As more and more people rely on online access to data and other information, it is important that this information be protected. One way in which banks, credit unions and other financial industries regulate access is by using a digital certificate for each user. When you visit your bank online the first time, you will need to register with the website. It is during this time the electronic certificate is created and linked with your computer. The certificate contains different components which help ensure a secure connection while accessing your online banking data.