There are certain types of applications where you will want to use two factor authentication. For example, you will want to control who has access to your financial and payroll information. You would not want someone to hack into your payroll system and obtain personal data on your employees. Nor would you want someone to gain access to your financial data. Someone could modify your accounts payable accounts, and route electronic payments directly to their bank account, instead of your creditors.
Single Factor Authentication Is One Part of Two Factor Authentication
There are two different types of authentication which process when using two factor authentication. First, you users enter in their user name and password, which is single factor authentication. However, before access is granted, they must now enter in a second form of authentication. There are different options available for the second form of authentication, such as a USB token or a digital certificate.