Two Factor Authentication Requires Two Types of Authentication

Organizations for years have had to deal with problems associated with unauthorized access to their systems. This was further complicated when internet based applications and websites came along. Now people from outside of the organization could potentially access proprietary data by hacking into the organization’s servers and internet connected computers. Increased security was required, and using a single factor authentication method was no longer enough to keep people out. As a result, two factor authentication solutions were developed which requires a second form of authentication.

Two Factor Authentication Includes a User ID and a Security Certificate

The first part of authentication in a two factor authentication setup, which is available from us, here at Digi-Sign, will often be a person’s user name and password. The second part of this authentication is a security certificate which is stored locally on the user’s computer or on another type of device, like a smart card. When the user logs into the computer or an online site, the security certificate is combined with the user ID and password. Without both parts of the authentication, access is denied.