Payment Card Security Keys for Convenient MFA Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-factor authentication (MFA) systems rely on hardware tokens like USB-based devices, which are inconvenient for users to carry and can be vulnerable to theft or compromise, necessitating a more practical and secure alternative for identity verification.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing payment instruments such as credit or debit cards, embedded with identifiers like user-designated or U2F credentials, to serve as security keys for MFA, enabling interaction with reader devices for identity verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware tokens (USB-based devices) are used for MFA, then security is improved, but convenience and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need to carry separate devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the payment instrument (credit/debit card) with security key functionality, merging two previously separate functions into a single device. Users can perform both payment transactions and multi-factor authentication using the same card, eliminating the need to carry separate hardware tokens while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The payment instrument is designed to serve multiple purposes: it functions as both a payment tool and a security key for authentication. The card can be used for transactions and also to verify user identity during login processes, making it a universal device that reduces the number of separate items users need to carry.
2Reliability
If hardware tokens are used for MFA, then authentication security is improved, but device complexity and loss risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the payment instrument with the security key functionality into a single integrated device. This reduces the total number of devices from two (payment card + security token) to one (multi-functional payment card), simplifying the system while maintaining authentication security.
Solution Approach 2:
The payment card is enhanced to perform multiple functions including payment processing and authentication verification. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate hardware tokens, reducing device complexity and the associated risks of loss or compromise.
Data Source
AI summary
An identity verification system and method includes downloading a software layer to access an identifier from payment cards and cause a reader device to translate payment protocol data from the payment cards to security key protocol data. A request to access a computing resource may be received and the user may be prompted to cause an interaction between the payment card and the reader device. The software layer may translate data received from the payment card from a payment protocol to a security key protocol such that an identifier is identified in the security key protocol data. The user may be granted access to the computing resource of the application when the identifier is associated with the user.