What exactly is Two Factor Authentication? Two Factor Authentication, also referred to as 2FA, is used to increase data security. When logging into personal information you will be required to provide something you know, like a password, against something you have, such as a laptop or mobile device. The use of Two Factor Authentication helps provide an organisation with an extra layer of security, making it impossible to grant access based on a single, knowledge-based factor.
We often tend to think about 2FA in a sense of SMS messages, however, some certain telecom companies are providing a simple Two Factor Authentication through their API solution. For instance, Zadarma users can implement it for free. This verifies client phone numbers via a voice call rather than an SMS. This verification is cheaper and far more secure than the traditional SMS solution and suits most websites and apps, accessible globally. This is why Zadarma’s Two Factor Authentication via an inbound phone call is the optimal identity verification method in demand today.
Open API and 2FA implementation is simple and free to registered users. The method request ‘check number’ parameters are straight forward:
A caller has an ID - this number is used to make a call and has to be a number connected with their VoIP service
The machine Authentication calls the client phone number
The machine generates a code. This is a set of digits. The machine voices a maximum length of 20 symbols
Once the code is generated, this sends an API request and then the client enters the code on to their website or account they wish to gain access into.
What Are The Business Benefits of Two Factor Authentication through a voice call?
Improved security
The most important benefit of 2FA is the increased level of business security, due to the request of a second form of identification to grant access. It decreases the probability that a hacker can impersonate a user and gain access to computers and sensitive resources. Even if a fraudster gains access to a password, they won’t have the second access code required to authenticate. This fundamental improvement secures united communications across any business. It protects client’s data, as well as prevents eavesdropping and intrusion into private VoIP calls. Many businesses opt to include Two Factor Authentication to reduce the risk and overwhelming concern of hackers, gaining control over the company’s lines and making long distance calls at the company’s expense.
1. Encourages & motivates building secure online relationships
2FA provides an additional layer of mobile protection that secures a website or device, the transaction and the customer’s data. By creating a secure brand experience, businesses increase their opportunity to create ongoing interactions with their customers. This reinforces a sense of quality customer service and customer care. By adding 2FA it reinforces a level of customer care through protecting your customer’s calls and data.
2. Integrated protection across unified communication
Customers of today demand convenience, whilst trusting in secure communication. Two Factor Authentication provides a robust user validation that today’s enterprises require. Those failing to leverage this level of protection across mobile & unified business communications are leaving themselves open to dire consequences.
3. Improves employee productivity
Two Factor Authentication can help remedy and reduce time consuming and costly password reset calls. It provides a safe and secure way for end users to reset their own passwords themselves, without bothering the help desk. .With less pressure on your business help desk, customer care team’s have seen an increase in employee productivity and satisfaction. Moreover with 2FA in place, employees can securely access corporate applications, data, business documents, and back-office infrastructure from virtually any device or location and can avoid putting the corporate network at any security risk of leaking sensitive information. Customer services’ teams result in being more motivated which improves general efficiencies.
4. Simple & affordable to install
SMS Two Factor Authentication can be more expensive, often more tricky to install and not always as secure, as clients can use temporary virtual numbers. All VoIP providers solutions will vary. With Zadarma, once you connect a virtual number, you simply follow a few easy steps to start using phone authorisation through your VoIP service. You then can create an API authorisation key and begin using your secure 2FA communication straight away.
Let's have a closer look at how 2FA access works
A customer enters a phone number on your website
This generates a code and sends an API request to verify their number
The number is verified through a call being made to the customer telling them the code
The customer enters the digits on your website and verifies their number
The customer gains access to their account in a safe, secure, simple way.
The old client registration method using email and repeated password input is not going anywhere however there is an increasing demand for businesses to verify clients using an inbound call verification over an SMS verification. The optimal way to achieve user verification is through Two Factor Authentication, the most efficient and affordable solution for achieving a strong secure infrastructure for both your employees and your customers.
To read more on open API and authorisation via a voice call check out the API function.