Know and understand other authentication methods including zero login, biometric methods, magnetic stripes, smart cards, physical tokens, electronic tokens

Published by Patrick Mutisya · 14 days ago

Cambridge IGCSE ICT 0417 – Networks and Authentication Methods

4. Networks and the Effects of Using Them

Objective

Know and understand other authentication methods including zero‑login, biometric methods, magnetic stripes, smart cards, physical tokens, and electronic tokens.

Why Authentication Matters in Networks

Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user, device, or system before granting access to network resources. Effective authentication protects data integrity, confidentiality, and availability, and it helps prevent unauthorised access, data breaches, and fraud.

Authentication Methods Overview

MethodDescriptionAdvantagesDisadvantagesTypical Use
Zero‑Login (Password‑less)Access is granted automatically after an initial trusted enrolment, often using device‑based certificates or trusted platform modules.

  • Eliminates password fatigue

  • Reduces phishing risk

  • Fast user experience

  • Requires robust initial enrolment

  • Dependent on device security

  • Complex to implement in mixed‑device environments

Enterprise single sign‑on (SSO) systems, cloud services
Biometric MethodsVerification based on unique physiological or behavioural traits (e.g., fingerprint, iris, facial recognition, voice).

  • Highly individualised

  • Convenient – no memorisation required

  • Hard to share or steal

  • Privacy concerns

  • Potential false‑reject/accept rates

  • Requires specialised hardware

Mobile devices, secure facilities, time‑and‑attendance systems
Magnetic Stripe CardsPlastic cards with a magnetic stripe that stores data read by a swipe reader.

  • Low cost

  • Simple to use

  • Widely supported

  • Easily demagnetised or damaged

  • Data can be cloned

  • Limited data capacity

Public transport tickets, basic access control
Smart CardsEmbedded microprocessor chip that can store and process data securely; communicates via contact or contactless interface.

  • Strong encryption capabilities

  • Can perform on‑card processing

  • Supports multi‑application use

  • Higher cost than magnetic stripe cards

  • Requires compatible readers

  • Management of certificates can be complex

Corporate ID badges, e‑government services, payment cards
Physical Tokens (Hardware Tokens)Small devices that generate a one‑time password (OTP) based on a secret key and a time or counter algorithm (e.g., RSA SecurID).

  • Provides two‑factor authentication

  • Works without network connectivity

  • Resistant to phishing

  • Can be lost or damaged

  • Requires user to carry the token

  • Synchronization issues may arise

Banking, VPN access, corporate remote login
Electronic Tokens (Software Tokens)Applications or mobile apps that generate OTPs or use push‑notification approval (e.g., Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator).

  • Convenient – uses existing device

  • Low cost, no extra hardware

  • Can be combined with biometrics

  • Depends on device security

  • Potential for malware compromise

  • Backup/recovery can be tricky

Cloud services, email accounts, social media platforms

Zero‑Login in Practice

Zero‑login systems often rely on a combination of device certificates, trusted platform modules (TPM), and behavioural analytics. Once a device is enrolled, the user can access multiple services without entering a password each time.

Biometric Authentication Details

Biometric systems can be classified by the type of data they capture:

  • Physiological: fingerprint, iris, retina, facial features.

  • Behavioural: voice, keystroke dynamics, gait.

Accuracy is expressed using False Acceptance Rate (FAR) and False Rejection Rate (FRR). An ideal system aims for a low FAR while maintaining an acceptable FRR.

Security Considerations for Token‑Based Methods

Both physical and electronic tokens implement the Time‑Based One‑Time Password (TOTP) algorithm, defined by RFC 6238. The algorithm can be expressed as:

\$\text{TOTP} = \text{Truncate}\bigl(\text{HMAC\_SHA1}(K, T)\bigr)\$

where K is the shared secret key and T is the current time step.

Choosing the Right Method for a Network

When selecting an authentication method, consider the following factors:

  1. Security level required (e.g., high‑value financial transactions vs. general office access).

  2. Cost and scalability of hardware or software deployment.

  3. User convenience and acceptance.

  4. Compatibility with existing network infrastructure.

  5. Regulatory or compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR, PCI‑DSS).

Suggested diagram: Flowchart showing how a user authenticates using a smart card combined with a biometric check, leading to network access.

Summary

Effective authentication protects network resources and data. Modern networks increasingly adopt password‑less and multi‑factor solutions, blending something the user has (tokens, cards) with something the user is (biometrics) and something the user knows (PINs). Understanding the strengths and limitations of each method enables informed decisions that balance security, cost, and usability.