Hardware Tokens
Hardware tokens are physical devices used for multi-factor authentication (MFA) to enhance security by generating one-time passwords (OTPs) or cryptographic keys. They provide a second layer of verification beyond passwords, typically through time-based or event-based codes, and are often used in corporate, financial, and high-security environments. These devices are designed to be tamper-resistant and offline-capable, reducing vulnerability to online attacks like phishing.
Developers should learn about hardware tokens when implementing or managing secure authentication systems, especially for applications handling sensitive data such as banking, healthcare, or enterprise access. They are crucial for compliance with security standards like NIST, GDPR, or PCI-DSS, and are used in scenarios where strong identity verification is required, such as remote work setups or privileged account management. Understanding hardware tokens helps in integrating them with identity providers like Okta or Azure AD for robust access control.