SecurEnvoy, a tokenless two-factor authentication provider, is promoting the concept of BYOT, or Bring Your Own Token, as the next trend in providing layered secure authentication to systems and networks.

The problem with tokens as a second authentication factor, says SecurEnvoy, is that a user must always carry a token in order to authenticate. However, most people do already carry around a smart phone, tablet or mobile device. According to a survey by industry association BITKOM, nearly 30% of those surveyed were investigating BYOD issues, and nearly half were interested in mobile applications. Companies can leverage these devices to provide an additional layer of security when logging into a system.

In the BYOT system, authentication can combine a passcode factor and a personal log in details factor. The user logs in using a personal log in, and then a passcode is sent to the user’s device via SMS, e-mail or an app. Companies don’t have to install extra software or hardware onto devices, and they don’t need to invest in tokens.

T-Mobile is one company to implement a BYOT process, and 15,000 employees use their mobile devices as a second authentication factor in order to access the company’s network.