Word
security token
Definition
compound. a physical device or a piece of software that creates a secret code to prove who you are. You use it to log in safely to your bank or work accounts.
compound. a physical device or digital software application that generates a one-time password or cryptographic signature to authenticate a user's identity. It provides an additional layer of security beyond a standard password.
Examples
“I need my security token to log in to the company network.”
“After entering her password, the employee had to check her security token for a six-digit code to complete the login process.”
“To mitigate the risk of credential theft, the IT department issued hardware security tokens to all staff members accessing sensitive financial databases from remote locations.”
Examples
simple
“I need my security token to log in to the company network.”
contextual
“After entering her password, the employee had to check her security token for a six-digit code to complete the login process.”
complex
“To mitigate the risk of credential theft, the IT department issued hardware security tokens to all staff members accessing sensitive financial databases from remote locations.”
Usage
Often used in the context of multi-factor authentication (MFA) or two-step verification.
Etymology
A compound of the Middle English 'security', derived from the Latin 'securitas', and 'token', from the Old English 'tacen', meaning a sign or symbol. The term emerged as a compositional description of a physical or digital signifier used to establish authenticity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/security-token