Using Performance Predictions to Evaluate Two-factor Authentication Setup Processes

Abstract

Low user adoption due to usability issues during setup is one of the primary challenges facing two-factor authentication implementations. A method which could quickly provide performance predictions for two-factor authentication setup processes would help create opportunities for iterative improvements during the design phase. These improvements can lead to increased human performance in the two-factor authentication setup processes once implemented and may help address some of the usability challenges that plague two-factor authentication user adoption efforts. Various software-based prediction tools can help simulate human performance and analyze underlying usability issues. The challenge is to evaluate human performance quickly and iteratively in two-factor authentication setup processes to help improve the usability of the processes during the design phase. We demonstrate rapid software-based performance predictions for three two-factor authentication setup processes and compare them to previously published human performance data for insights.