Your data is only as safe as the login that guards it. Authentication tokens for data protection put a physical object between an attacker and that login: something a person must hold on top of something they know. Hardware tokens come in three main families, OTP, FIDO2 and PKI, and each one blocks a different set of attacks. This guide compares them side by side so you can match the token to the data, the users and the rules you need to meet.

Most security key projects plan the rollout and stop there. Then, keys get lost, people leave, new laptops arrive with different ports and an auditor can't accurately track active keys. FIDO2 security key lifecycle management covers everything after the purchase order: setup, backup and recovery, ongoing optimization, replacement and upgrades. This guide gives you a policy and a checklist for each of the four stages, so your keys keep protecting accounts for years.

The badge on your employees' lanyards can do far more than open a door. Smart cards for secure access combine physical entry, computer login, digital signatures and even payments on one credential, if you choose the right card type. The wrong choice can result in cards being cloned by thieves, a mismatch between a card and a reader, or required deployment of new cards when systems are updated or changed. This guide compares the main card technologies, explains government PIV requirements, and gives you a checklist for buying cards and readers that work together.