Security is something businesses take very seriously, especially today where an idea is no longer worth anything and it’s the best implementations, along with the biggest marketing budget behind said implementation of said idea, that makes or breaks small and large corporations alike, which is why Google is introducing a two way authentication method for users of their premium services. As the name implies, two way authentication goes beyond the typical “please put in your username and password”, it will require you to enter a string of digits that are randomly generated and sent to you either via a native iPhone, Android or BlackBerry application, or it can be sent to you via an SMS, and if all else fails it can be sent to you via a phone call whereby a robot reads out what you need to type on your screen.
Banks have had this for a while now, or at least my bank, Chase Manhattan Bank, has had this for as long as I can remember. Whenever I try to do my online banking from a computer that doesn’t have the same IP address as the one I previously used to access my accounts then it requires I input a second authentication code that I can choose to receive either via email, SMS or a phone call.
I don’t mind the added layer of security and I imagine many IT managers will be enjoying this as well, especially considering that more people work these days out of a laptop and smartphone, two objects that are easily lost or stolen. An IT administrator can also select which users only need to use one form of authentication, such as people who work at a workstation that isn’t going to leave the office anytime soon. Google Apps Premier, Education, and Government Editions can use the new two way authentication system and Standard Edition users will get it in the coming months.
[Via: Ars.Technica]