Vialidad

These guidelines recognize the following types of tokens for e-authentication.

• Memorized Secret Token – A secret shared between the Subscriber and the CSP. Memorized Secret Tokens are typically character strings (e.g., passwords and passphrases) or numerical strings (e.g., PINs.) The token authenticator presented to the Verifier in an authentication process is the

secret itself (e.g. the password or passphrase itself). Memorized secret tokens are something you know.

• Pre-registered Knowledge Token – A series of responses to a set of prompts or challenges. These responses may be thought of as a set of shared secrets. The set of prompts and responses are established by the Subscriber and CSP during the registration process. The token authenticator is the set of

memorized responses to pre-registered prompts during a single run of the authentication process. An example of a Pre-registered Knowledge Token would be establishing responses for prompts such as “What was your first pet’s name?” During the authentication process, the Claimant is asked to provide the appropriate responses to a subset of the prompts. Alternatively, a Subscriber might select and memorize an image during the registration

process. In an authentication process, the Claimant is prompted to identify the correct images from a set(s) of similar images. Transactions from previously authenticated sessions could be accepted as Pre-registered Knowledge Tokens. Pre-registered Knowledge Tokens are something you know.

• Look-up Secret Token – A physical or electronic token that stores a set of secrets shared between the Claimant and the CSP. The Claimant uses the token to look up the appropriate secret(s) needed to respond to a prompt from the Verifier (the token input). For example, a Claimant may be asked by the Verifier to provide a specific subset of the numeric or character strings printed on a card in table format. The token authenticator is the secret(s) identified by the prompt. Look-up secret tokens are something you have.

• Out of Band Token – A physical token that is uniquely addressable and can receive a Verifier-selected secret for one-time use. The device is possessed and controlled by the Claimant and supports private communication19 over a channel that is separate from the primary channel for e-authentication. The token authenticator is the received secret and is presented to the Verifier using the primary channel for e-authentication. For example, a Claimant attempts to log into a website and receives a text message on his or her cellular phone, PDA, pager, or land line (pre-registered with the CSP during the registration phase) with a random authenticator to be presented as a part of the electronic authentication protocol. Out of Band Tokens are something you have.

• Single-factor (SF) One-Time Password (OTP) Device – A hardware device that supports the spontaneous generation of one-time passwords. This device has an embedded secret that is used as the seed for generation of one-time passwords and does not require activation through a second factor.

Authentication is accomplished by providing an acceptable one-time password and thereby proving possession and control of the device. The token

authenticator is the one-time password. For example, a one-time password device may display 6 characters at a time. SF OTP devices are something you have.

• Single-factor (SF) Cryptographic Device – a hardware device that performs cryptographic operations on input provided to the device. This device does not require activation through a second factor of authentication. This device uses embedded symmetric or asymmetric cryptographic keys. Authentication is accomplished by proving possession of the device. The token authenticator is highly dependent on the specific cryptographic device and protocol, but it is generally some type of signed message. For example, in TLS, there is a “certificate verify” message. SF Cryptographic Devices are something you have.

• Multi-factor (MF) Software Cryptographic Token – A cryptographic key is stored on disk or some other “soft” media and requires activation through a second factor of authentication. Authentication is accomplished by proving possession and control of the key. The token authenticator is highly dependent on the specific cryptographic protocol, but it is generally some type of signed message. For example, in TLS, there is a “certificate verify” message. The MF software cryptographic token is something you have, and it may be activated by either something you know or something you are.

• Multi-factor (MF) One-Time Password (OTP) Device – A hardware device that generates one-time passwords for use in authentication and which requires activation through a second factor of authentication. The second factor of authentication may be achieved through some kind of integral entry pad, an integral biometric (e.g., fingerprint) reader or a direct computer interface (e.g., USB port). The one-time password is typically displayed on the device and manually input to the Verifier as a password, although direct electronic input from the device to a computer is also allowed. The token authenticator is the one-time password. For example, a one-time password device may display 6 characters at a time. The MF OTP device is something you have, and it may be activated by either something you know or something you are.

• Multi-factor (MF) Cryptographic Device – A hardware device that contains a protected cryptographic key that requires activation through a second

authentication factor. Authentication is accomplished by proving possession of the device and control of the key. The token authenticator is highly

dependent on the specific cryptographic device and protocol, but it is generally some type of signed message. For example, in TLS, there is a “certificate verify” message. The MF Cryptographic device is something you have, and it may be activated by either something you know or something you are.