Authentication is widely used by businesses as a way to ensure privacy of certain information. Financial institutions use authentication to provide their customers with access to their own accounts. Healthcare facilities use authentication to ensure they’re treating the right patient with the right procedures.
There are numerous forms of authentication available today. Some are more involved than others, and some require the use of multiple factors in order to gain access to information. The type of authentication used by a company is totally their decision.
One of the more popular authentication tactics is the use of one time passwords, otherwise known as OTP. Put simply, an OTP is a password that is given to an individual for one time use to gain access. Once the password has been used, it is no longer valid and will no longer work to provide access.
What is the purpose of one time passwords?Like any other authentication tactic, one time passwords help protect companies and their customers from fraudulent activity. Most hackers and scam artists rely on certain tools to access information, such as passwords, that people use to gain access to accounts or restricted areas of buildings. When companies use one time passwords, the risk of hackers and scam artists gaining information is eliminated, because once a password is used, it will no longer work.
How are OTPs delivered?Since OTPs change quickly, it’s important that they are provided to the right individuals in a time efficient manner. For this reason, there are multiple ways that companies provide this information to their recipients. Some companies give their employees and/or clients a certain utensil, such as a token. Information including the new password is then sent to this token, giving the person access. Other companies simply send the new password to a mobile device or electronically through email. And then there are some who simply print out the password and hand it to the intended recipient.
Some companies generate their OTPs on a daily basis. For example, if you work for a company that requires OTP to access information on your computer, your employer may only require you to log in once at the beginning of the day and logout at the end of the day. Then, the following work day, you will be provided with a new password.
On the other hand, there are companies that change the password every time a user logs in or out of a certain system. For example, if you are trying to access information on a website that uses OTP, and you need to access this site multiple times throughout the day, you may be given a new password for every log in.
How are OTPs created?Some OTPs are created based on time. The company that generates the OTP can have a new line of passwords sent to employees and clients at a certain time every day.
Some OTPs are created once the OTP before it has been used. For example, if you have an OTP and you log into a website using the OTP, you may receive your next OTP before you are even done using the site.
How much does implementing OTPs cost?The cost of OTPs will vary on the type and extensiveness of your desires. If you are looking for an OTP to print out new passwords on paper or implement it to exist on devices you already own, then OTP is extremely cost effective. On the other hand, if you want a more intricate OTP experience that pushes new info out to new devices that you currently don’t have in your possession, you’re looking at spending a significant amount of money.
The bottom line is that authentication is becoming the norm, whether you want to access an area of a hospital, look at your online bank account or even log in to your social network. Companies are implementing tactics to keep you and your information secure, and using one time passwords is one of these options.
author : Stella Brown writes about custom authentication methods and other online security applications.
