Sarah Lefavrais | IAM Product Marketing Manager
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Sarah Lefavrais | IAM Product Marketing Manager
More About This Author >
Strong authentication has become fundamental to the security of every business. As cyber threats evolve, organizations increasingly rely on passwordless authentication and phishing-resistant MFA to protect access to sensitive systems and data.
Regardless of size or industry, companies now operate in an environment where identity sits at the center of cybersecurity strategy. If attackers cannot steal credentials, they cannot easily compromise accounts. This is why modern authenticators, including FIDO security keys, passkeys, and biometric authentication, are becoming essential components of enterprise access security.
Authenticators create a trusted bridge between users and the systems they need to access. They transform identity from a simple claim into a verifiable, tamper-resistant proof of identity, supporting secure remote access for B2B identities, workforce authentication, strong customer authentication, and regulatory compliance.
Thales has long recognized that there is no one-size-fits-all authenticator. Different environments require different assurance levels and user experience. Some businesses prefer hardware security keys for phishing resistance, while others rely on mobile solutions. Some legacy environments require certificate-based authentication, while others can support OTP tokens or FIDO2 security keys.
Thales Authentication Solutions
What makes Thales stand out is the breadth of its authentication portfolio.
From FIDO2 security keys and biometric USB tokens to PKI smart cards, software authenticators, and passwordless mobile solutions, all methods are unified under a single authentication back-end that can be deployed either in the cloud or on-premises.
Each authentication method is available in multiple form factors, including USB tokens, NFC devices, smart cards, passkey-enabled platforms, and mobile apps. This flexibility allows organizations to match the authenticator to their threat model, compliance requirements, and user adoption goals.
Below is a walkthrough of the main categories of Thales authenticators, what they provide, and where they are most effective.
Certificate-Based USB Tokens
Thales certificate-based USB tokens are built for secure remote access, digital signing, and file encryption, all inside a tamper-evident USB form factor. These tokens deliver strong PKI-based authentication and advanced security controls without complicating the user workflow.
eToken 5110
Strong phishing-resistant two-factor authentication for secure remote, password management, and network access, as well as certificate-based support for advanced security applications, including digital signature and pre-boot authentication.
Best use cases:
- Remote workers
- High-security environments
- Privileged users
- Signing workflows
- Organizations standardizing on PKI
Certificate-Based Smart Cards
Smart cards remain a gold standard for companies with mature PKI environments. Thales’s smart cards are durable, interoperable, and familiar, delivering MFA in a classic credit-card form factor.
Best use cases:
- Government
- Finance
- Regulated industries
- PKI-heavy environments
- Secure workstation logon
IDPrime
Mini-driver-enabled PKI cards optimized for Microsoft environments. They support secure logon, password management, digital signatures, and encrypted email/data. A stable, scalable choice for enterprises modernizing their PKI.
IDPrime PIV
FIPS 201-compliant smart card designed for federal, state, and local government entities. It delivers high-assurance, interoperable credentials that are trusted by federal agencies.
One-Time Password (OTP) Tokens
OTP tokens generate dynamic, single-use passwords. They’re ideal when you need a lightweight but strong second factor, without deploying certificates.
OTP 111-112
OATH-certified OTP devices enable user authentication to a broad range of resources. Featuring time and event-based configurations and waterproof casing, these tokens can be used anywhere a static password is used today, improving security and allowing regulatory compliance with a broad range of industry regulations.
Note: SafeNet OTP 111-112 replaces eToken PASS, which reaches end-of-life and support on 31 March 2026.
Best use cases:
- Protect local network access
- Remote network (VPN) access
- Cloud-based applications
- VDI, web portals
- Custom applications
Pattern-Based Authentication
Not every authenticator needs to be conventional. Thales pattern-based authentication offers an option for users who prefer visual cues instead of passwords.
GrIDsure
Select a unique pattern on a grid of randomized characters. It’s memorable, user-friendly, and secure against keylogging and shoulder-surfing. no software to install (web browser embedded)
Best use cases:
- Users experiencing password fatigue
- Frontline workers
- Applications that need simplicity without compromising security
Mobile & Software-Based Authentication
Mobile authentication cuts out hardware distribution, lowers costs, and fits naturally into the way people work these days. It’s also very flexible, supporting OTP, push notifications, and virtual smart card capabilities.
MobilePASS+
Next generation authenticator app supporting all platforms that offers secure one-time passcode (OTP) generation on mobile, wearables and Windows devices, as well as single-tap push authentication for enhanced user convenience. MobilePASS+ supports, in addition, the usage of device-bound passkeys for phishing-resistant MFA
Mobile Protector
Thales Mobile Protector is a comprehensive Software Development Kit (SDK) that enables easy integration of multi-factor authentication (MFA) and protection against malware attacks. This comprehensive security framework ensures fraud resistance, seamless access, and strong encryption for financial institutions and users alike.
Best use cases:
- BYOD environments
- High-mobility workforces
- Cost-efficient deployments
- Businesses that want to reduce their hardware footprint
FIDO Hardware Authenticators
FIDO is pushing the world toward passwordless authentication. Thales offers FIDO authentication devices that combine modern passwordless standards with traditional PKI support, often in the same form factor.
Best use cases:
- Passwordless strategies
- Hybrid PKI/FIDO environments
- Modern cloud identity ecosystems
eToken Fusion Bio
Deliver phishing-resistant, passwordless authentication with a secure biometric fingerprint USB token designed for seamless user experience and large-scale deployment.
IDPrime FIDO Bio
Combine FIDO, biometrics, and NFC to enable end-users to authenticate securely and easily across multiple types of devices, using just a fingerprint instead of a password.
eToken FIDO series
USB FIDO tokens are ideal for enterprises moving toward passwordless authentication to secure access to web apps. NFC is an option.
eToken Fusion Series
USB Tokens combining FIDO and PKI for broad coverage of hybrid IT use cases (passwordless authentication, qualified signature, encryption). NFC in option.
IDPrime FIDO
Smart card supporting PKI and FIDO2. can be used in contact or contactless mode
Converged Badge
Smart card supporting physical access and digital access (PKI, FIDO)
Enable employees to use the same badge for multiple usage in their offices
Which Authenticator Fits My Needs?
How do you narrow down to the solution that best fits your organization? The following comparison table may help you decide.
| Authenticator | Unique Selling Point | Best For |
| Certificate-Based USB Tokens (eToken 5110) | Strong PKI in a compact, tamper-evident USB | Remote workers, privileged users, qualified digital signature, file/email encryption |
| Certificate-Based Smart Cards (IDPrime /PIV) | Mature PKI integration, FIPS compliance | Government, regulated industries, secure logon, qualified digital signature, file/email encryption |
| OTP Tokens (OTP111-112) | Simple, portable OTP generation | VPN, cloud apps, users without smartphones |
| GrIDsure Pattern Tokens | Visual pattern-based authentication | Frontline users, low-friction access |
| MobilePASS+ | Push/OOB/OTP in a single mobile app | BYOD, mobile workforces, global teams |
| FIDO Smart Cards | PKI + FIDO2 in one device you can use contactless | Passwordless and hybrid environments, enhanced user experience |
| Converged Badge (Smart cards) | Physical + Digital access ( PKI and or FIDO) | Secure offices and restricted areas |
| FIDO USB Tokens | Touch-based passwordless authentication | Cloud-first organizations |
| FIDO + Bio authenticators (USB/Smart Cards) | Combine the power of FIDO authentication with biometrics | Simplify user adoption of phishing-resistant authentication |
If you’d like to explore these authenticators in more detail, visit the Thales authenticators page.
If you’re planning a broader access management strategy, it’s worth speaking with one of our identity specialists who can help match these options to your exact needs.