Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication (also known as 2FA) is a technology that provides the identification of users by means of the combination of two different components. In other words, 2FA adds a second level of authentication to an account log-in.

Two-Factor Authentication, 2FA or TFA is a better way to protect online accounts. Besides entering the password into your account you also have to enter an additional code that you generate through a personal device.

When you have to enter only your username and one password, that's considered a single-factor authentication. 2FA requires the user to have two out of three types of credentials before being able to access an account.

Two-Factor Authentication is one of the most effective ways for businesses to protect their systems and customers’ online accounts from hacking, spamming, data theft, and more. It requires users to complete multiple steps to verify their identity before they can access their data. 

What Can You Use for Two-Factor Authentication?

2FA typically demands at least two pieces of “evidence” from the user to prove their identity. 2FA requires credentials such as:

• Something a user knows, like a PIN or an answer to a security question
• Something a user has, like a verification code delivered via text message or physical tokens like USB keys
• Something a user is, which may include facial recognition or biometric data like fingerprints

According to Microsoft, 99.9% of cyberattacks can be prevented with multi-factor authentication. By adding another layer of security with 2FA, companies can secure private data with more than a traditional username and password.

How does (Two Factor) Authentication Work?

The good news is that you can set up 2FA fairly quick, and it works very much the same way at each different service. The bad news is that you have to set it up yourself, and sometimes you have to look closely where you can configure the settings. 

Two-Factor authentication works according to the same principle on almost every website: After typing your login name and password you need to enter an additional code or text that you receive via SMS or an additional app. Only after entering this extra code do you get access to the secure part of the site.

Why SMS and Voice are Leading Solutions for 2FA

Any industry that handles customer data should utilize two-factor authentication to protect both employees and customers. With CM.com’s Two-Factor Authentication API, you can easily add an additional security layer beyond a username and password combination, making user credentials much more difficult to crack. 

Our 2FA solution uses one-time passwords (OTPs) to authenticate users, secure account logins, and safeguard transactions via SMS (text message) or voice (phone call). SMS messages have an average open rate of 98% in less than 30 seconds, making them reliable and easily accessible for users. With OTPs, our two-factor authentication platform can improve the customer login experience in just one click.