What Is a Security Key or a Token?

A security key (also know as a security token) is a portable device that authenticates a person’s identity electronically by storing some kind of personal information. The owner plugs the security token into a system to grant access to a network service.

Security tokens come in many different forms, including hardware tokens that contain chips, USB tokens that plug into USB ports, and wireless Bluetooth tokens or programmable electronic key fobs, which activate devices remotely (for example, to gain access to a car or apartment building).

Single sign-on services also use security tokens to log users into third-party websites like YouTube, Gmail, Dropbox, etc. seamlessly. Disconnected tokens are not linked to the computer or network in any way; rather, the user enters the information from the token manually into the system. Connected tokens work electronically and automatically transmit information to the network once they’re connected.