Mobile Authentication Methods- How to Manage
Any time mobile devices are connected to business networks, there is a need to ensure that user and endpoint authentication is applied. Authentication does the job of verifying whether the system or the user is who they claim to be by checking their login information. By the use of usernames as an identity and a password as the user credentials, then the authentication process will be successful.
If not well authenticated, the occurrence of abuses, misuse and attack as well any other form of breach quickly occurs. To help you in managing the authentication methods available, here are tips that you can rely on.
Identity Authentication methods
A secure mobile authentication technique should be one that is combining the strength and enforce ability with the usability of the method. You should consider both network and device access credentials and how the given method will satisfy your platform, security as well as the user requirements.
Passwords authentication
To avoid creating a password that can be easily guessed; you should incorporate the aspect of complexity, longevity and timeout rules. For mobile devices, using this technique can make it difficult to use the phone. For mobile devices, use a less complex method of passwords for instance one that will allow the user to pick calls and other important notifications without having to the enter the password.
Digital Certificates as an Identity form
Certificates are deemed to be stronger than passwords as they are used to bind an identity to a private or public key. This can be explained using a Wi-Fi laptop that is unlocked using a password and then uses a certificate for WPA-Enterprise authentication.
How to authenticate your device using Smart Cards
This security chip is embedded in a credit card or an MMC/SD memory. The chip is used in the provision of safe storage for cryptographic keys that are used by encryption and authentication algorithms.
Use of Hardware Tokens
Hardware tokens generate a one-time password and are used to authenticate laptop users by many companies. To turn on the machine; the user will enter their password then goes on to type the token provided strings. key-loggers And crackers can be kept off by this method as the passwords that are used are for a one-time usage.The security of your device is guaranteed with this approach as the passwords that are used are never the same in the subsequent logins. Additionally, this method avoids password sharing hence the security is high.
The use of Biometrics in Authentication
Biometrics are used for multi-factor authentication that combines either a password with a token, or a password with a fingerprint or any of those two. This method can be actually used on mobile devices that are in constant use while still putting into consideration the environmental factors like noise and dirt.
Source: mobile security