This is known as authentication, and there are different forms. Some allow you to choose your own password, and this will remain your password until you decide to change it. Other platforms require you to change your password after a certain amount of time, such as 30, 60 or 90 days. And then there are those authentication platforms that only allow you to use a password one time, and these are known as one time passwords (OTP).
OTPs are still relatively new, and not many companies have jumped on board using them. If your business is contemplating the use of OTPs, there are a few things that you should know.
They provide extra protection.
If you use the same password for a certain length of time, or if you use the same password for a multitude of accounts, you are putting yourself at risk of having someone else find out your password and hack into your accounts. With OTPs, since the password changes for every login, there is no way that a person can hack into your account, as the password they would need to access your information would constantly be changing. This is the main reason why many companies have switched over to OTPs.
They can be hard to memorize.
One of the downsides to OTPs is that it can be difficult for people to memorize since it’s constantly changing. Some people have a hard time remembering the different password that is used for each login, and this can cause some issues. A person will need to spend more time contacting the company in charge of the passwords to be reminded of the password. This can take time out of a person’s day, making the one time passwords more of a nuisance than anything.
They typically require additional technology.
Most OTPs are too difficult for humans to handle on their own, which means that additional technology is needed. This can be both good and bad. It’s good because it alleviates IT departments from having to maintain password records and be in charge of distributing them accordingly. On the other hand, the added technology is an extra expense that companies have to endure, and it also requires teaching employees and individuals how to use the program.
They can be a nuisance.
If you use OTPs for work, you may find it annoying to need to receive a new password every time you want to log into your work computer. If you take breaks or take a lunch hour, this means that you could be accessing a new password more than one time per day.
Depending on how you acquire your new passwords, this process can be both time consuming and annoying. Accessing a new password may require you to take time out of your day, and this can have an impact on your production.
C. RosewoodAbout the Guest Author:
C. Rosewood wrote this with the guidance of Authentify. Authentify is a leader in 2 factor authentication.