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The Problem With Two-Factor Authentication
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Marilyn Cohodas
Marilyn Cohodas,
 User Rank: Strategist
2/6/2014 | 8:01:06 AM
Re: Two factor is useful after the data breach > User fatigue
When users don't have to keep track of a separate single-use item and they don't have to manually approve every request, they will flock to two-factor.

I hope you are right about this @smholloway. And agreed, that if TFA or MFA can substantially reduce damage from hacked PII after the breach that will be a big deal. (Not nitpick at all.)
Marilyn Cohodas
Marilyn Cohodas,
 User Rank: Strategist
2/6/2014 | 7:55:37 AM
Re: Security is more than authentication
Funny -- and not just Maxine. I can see the cartoon on my phone but not on my laptop. Anyone else having that problem?
Li Tan
Li Tan,
 User Rank: Apprentice
2/5/2014 | 9:52:23 PM
Re: Security is more than authentication
You got my point, Marilyn. Furthermore, I am a little bit pessimistic regarding security. You can improve security all the time by implementing new architectures and techniques but you will never caulk the gap - there is always cavity for the hackers.:-(
smholloway
smholloway,
 User Rank: Apprentice
2/5/2014 | 7:37:16 PM
Two factor is useful after the data breach
Overall, a good article. However, I take issue with two things: first, user fatigue. There are new 2FA offerings that are largely invisible (see, for example, Toopher). When users don't have to keep track of a separate single-use item and they don't have to manually approve every request, they will flock to two-factor. And that brings me to my second nitpick: two-factor is useful after the data breach--perhaps even more important after your usernames and passwords are public information. If your account details are leaked, multi-factor authentication helps reduce the damage that can be done with your hacked credentials. Ultimately, we need more high quality two factor implementations, and, as you said, securing logins will be easier when we start funnelling all logins through a single point, reducing the attack surface.
Ariella
Ariella,
 User Rank: Apprentice
2/5/2014 | 5:33:57 PM
Re: Security is more than authentication
And wouldn't you know it? Maxine has just the right picture for this topic: 
Marilyn Cohodas
Marilyn Cohodas,
 User Rank: Strategist
2/5/2014 | 1:51:45 PM
Security is more than authentication
I totally agree, Li, that the Garret raised an issue that too often overlooked in the  discussions of biometrics, tokens and passwords and other mutlficactor authentication technologies.  You can have the best authentication in the world, but if the architecture isn't designed properly you're still vulnerable. 
Ariella
Ariella,
 User Rank: Apprentice
2/5/2014 | 9:41:14 AM
Re: Beyond authentication
@SaneIt In light of your comment, I wonder if we should regard locks and this kind of authentication as a positional good. Its value is derived from others not having it. It's rather like those steering wheel locks sold as anti-theft protection on cars. They won't prevent a truly capable thief form taking your car. But if your car is not particularly valuable and is among others of equal value that do not have the extra protection, the thief may just go for the easiest break-in. However, when every driver starts using these things, then they'll make no difference. 
SaneIT
SaneIT,
 User Rank: Apprentice
2/5/2014 | 8:45:37 AM
Beyond authentication
I live by the old saying that locks are for honest people.   If someone wants in badly enough a lock is not going to stop them.  The same goes for any authentication method.  If you lock down your application well enough someone will turn to social engineering to get in.  One thing I rarely see covered when talking about securing any assets is intelligent monitoring.  The recent attacks on Target and Niemen Marcus don't seem to have been detected until after millions of records were lost.  One thing I'd like to see addressed is how do you see the leak before the flood gates are fully open?
K.Sree
K.Sree,
 User Rank: Apprentice
2/5/2014 | 2:01:48 AM
Effective Two-factor authentication
A best analysis on the two-factor authentication. However, a bidirectional approach (both from Server and Client communications) will give better solutions. VeriQR is such a solution addressing this - http://www.integritauk.com/veriQR.html
Li Tan
Li Tan,
 User Rank: Apprentice
2/4/2014 | 8:01:00 PM
Re: Duo Security
The new approach looks good. Furthermore, the core concept behind is important - the security lies mainly with architecture from design perpsective instead of single piece of authentication technology. I am willing to see more articles describing it in more detail.
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