Google’s two-factor authentication (2FA) process is about to undergo a security enhancement and a usability upgrade. According to the latest blog post from the company, Google is working on simplifying the authentication process for users and administrators, making accounts more secure and increasing 2FA adoption. Let’s delve deeper into this development:
Google Revamps Two-Factor Authentication
Currently, when a user wants to enable 2FA on their account, they are required to provide their phone number to receive verification codes. However, with the new update, users will no longer need to disclose their numbers. They will have the option to select an authenticator app, such as Google Authenticator, or a physical security key for setting up 2FA.
As mentioned in the recent blog post by the company, “We are simplifying the process of enabling 2-Step Verification (2SV), which will make it more streamlined and facilitate administrators to enforce 2SV policies within their organizations.”
Moreover, Google now supports FIDO1 and FIDO2 credentials, giving users the flexibility to choose the type of key that best suits their requirements. However, setting up a passkey – a more advanced form of authentication – necessitates the use of a FIDO2-compliant key and setting a PIN on the key itself.
When Can We Expect to Receive this Update?
According to the search engine giant, these updates are already being rolled out for Google Workspace and personal accounts. However, it may take some time to reach all users.