{"id":17037,"date":"2025-02-04T10:43:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-04T10:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sinchimportfinal.local\/blog\/one-time-password\/"},"modified":"2025-03-26T06:06:42","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T06:06:42","slug":"one-time-password","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/sinch.com\/blog\/one-time-password\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a one-time password (OTP)? Features and benefits explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In a world where fraud is all too common, wouldn\u2019t it be great to have a simple way to know you\u2019re talking to the right person? As more of our lives happen online, the need for easy and reliable&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/blog\/enterprise-security-effective-verification-solutions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">identity verification<\/a>&nbsp;is more important than ever.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>One-time passwords (OTPs)<\/strong>, also known as one-time passcodes or a one-time PIN, add a layer of security to verify and protect users worldwide. With mobile security in high demand, the global multi-factor authentication (MFA) market is&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marketsandmarkets.com\/Market-Reports\/multifactor-authentication-market-231220047.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">projected<\/a>&nbsp;to be valued at $34.8 billion by 2028, as compared to $15.2 billion in 2023. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>OTPs are a straightforward, cost-effective solution for organizations to verify and protect their customers\u2019 and employees\u2019 personal information. If you want to learn how to instantly verify your customers from anywhere in the world while saving time and money, this guide is for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\r\n\t                    <div class=\"iframe-responsive-container lazy-video \">\r\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FwcaCIq0PfE\" class=\"lazy-video-link\" data-lazy-video=\"FwcaCIq0PfE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" role=\"button\" data-source=\"youtube\" data-thumb=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/FwcaCIq0PfE\/maxresdefault.jpg\" title=\"Sinch Video\">\r\n                    <div class=\"btn btn-light btn-light-social btn-play btn-play-circle\">\r\n                                                    <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" data-url=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/sinch-core\/assets\/icons\/sinch\/play.svg\"><\/svg>\r\n                                            <\/div>\r\n                    <img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/FwcaCIq0PfE\/maxresdefault.jpg\" alt=\"One-time passwords: Multichannel verification system\">\r\n                <\/a>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n                        <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\r\n            {\n    \"@context\": \"http:\/\/schema.org\",\n    \"@type\": \"VideoObject\",\n    \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FwcaCIq0PfE#VideoObject\",\n    \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/FwcaCIq0PfE\/maxresdefault.jpg\",\n    \"embedUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FwcaCIq0PfE\",\n    \"contentUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FwcaCIq0PfE\",\n    \"name\": \"One-time passwords: Multichannel verification system\",\n    \"description\": \"Director of Financial Services at Sinch, Alejandro Murcia, discusses why one-time passwords (OTPs) are a remarkably simple and cost-effective way for organizations to verify and protect their customers' and employees\\u2019 personal information.\",\n    \"uploadDate\": \"2023-10-30T13:02:38+00:00\",\n    \"duration\": \"PT1M13S\"\n}        <\/script>\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em><sub>Alejandro Murcia, Director of Financial Services at Sinch, explains how businesses can use OTPs<\/sub><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\r\n    <div class=\"toc-block longform-spacings px-5 py-6 px-md-6 px-lg-7 py-md-7 bg-light fs-sm rounded\"><h4 class=\"m-0\">Table of contents<\/h4><div class=\"d-flex mt-3\"><div class=\"w-auto fw-bold text-accent d-flex me-2\">01<\/div><div class=\"d-flex flex-column\"><a class=\"fw-bold scrollme link-body-color text-accent\" href=\"#what-is-a-one-time-password-otp\">What is a one-time password (OTP)?<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"d-flex mt-3\"><div class=\"w-auto fw-bold text-accent d-flex me-2\">02<\/div><div class=\"d-flex flex-column\"><a class=\"fw-bold scrollme link-body-color text-accent\" href=\"#how-does-a-user-get-a-one-time-password\">How does a user get a one-time password?<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"d-flex mt-3\"><div class=\"w-auto fw-bold text-accent d-flex me-2\">03<\/div><div class=\"d-flex flex-column\"><a class=\"fw-bold scrollme link-body-color text-accent\" href=\"#how-does-a-one-time-password-work\">How does a one-time password work?<\/a><a class=\"scrollme link-body-color\" href=\"#hotp-vs-totp\">HOTP vs. TOTP<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"d-flex mt-3\"><div class=\"w-auto fw-bold text-accent d-flex me-2\">04<\/div><div class=\"d-flex flex-column\"><a class=\"fw-bold scrollme link-body-color text-accent\" href=\"#are-one-time-passwords-secure\">Are one-time passwords secure?<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"d-flex mt-3\"><div class=\"w-auto fw-bold text-accent d-flex me-2\">05<\/div><div class=\"d-flex flex-column\"><a class=\"fw-bold scrollme link-body-color text-accent\" href=\"#what-are-the-benefits-of-otps\">What are the benefits of OTPs?<\/a><a class=\"scrollme link-body-color\" href=\"#stop-identity-thieves-in-their-tracks\">Stop identity thieves in their tracks<\/a><a class=\"scrollme link-body-color\" href=\"#highly-improbable-for-others-to-guess\">Highly improbable for others to guess<\/a><a class=\"scrollme link-body-color\" href=\"#gives-your-it-support-a-break\">Gives your IT support a break<\/a><a class=\"scrollme link-body-color\" href=\"#easy-for-organizations-to-integrate-and-scale\">Easy for organizations to integrate and scale<\/a><a class=\"scrollme link-body-color\" href=\"#improves-the-user-experience\">Improves the user experience<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"d-flex mt-3\"><div class=\"w-auto fw-bold text-accent d-flex me-2\">06<\/div><div class=\"d-flex flex-column\"><a class=\"fw-bold scrollme link-body-color text-accent\" href=\"#endless-otp-use-cases-and-examples\">Endless OTP use cases and examples<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"d-flex mt-3\"><div class=\"w-auto fw-bold text-accent d-flex me-2\">07<\/div><div class=\"d-flex flex-column\"><a class=\"fw-bold scrollme link-body-color text-accent\" href=\"#the-future-of-otps-and-authentication\">The future of OTPs and authentication<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"d-flex mt-3\"><div class=\"w-auto fw-bold text-accent d-flex me-2\">08<\/div><div class=\"d-flex flex-column\"><a class=\"fw-bold scrollme link-body-color text-accent\" href=\"#learn-more-about-one-time-passwords-otps-and-user-authentication\">Learn more about one-time passwords (OTPs) and user authentication<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a one-time password (OTP)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A one-time password (OTP) is a quick way to verify a user\u2019s identity when they\u2019re logging into an account, network, or system. The user receives a unique code \u2013 usually a string of numbers or letters \u2013 that expires after a short period of time and they can\u2019t reuse.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"656\" src=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SI-Blog-One-Time-Password-03-1024x656.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64473\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SI-Blog-One-Time-Password-03-1024x656.png 1024w, https:\/\/sinch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SI-Blog-One-Time-Password-03-300x192.png 300w, https:\/\/sinch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SI-Blog-One-Time-Password-03-768x492.png 768w, https:\/\/sinch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SI-Blog-One-Time-Password-03.png 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>One-time passwords have a few common features that define them, like that they\u2019re time-sensitive and can\u2019t be reused.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>OTPs can be sent to a user by email, phone call, authenticator app (common ones include Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator), text message, as an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/blog\/rcs-otp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">RCS OTP<\/a>&nbsp;or via another mobile messaging channel like WhatsApp, or as a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/blog\/what-is-a-push-notification\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">push notification<\/a>. They can be used as&nbsp;<strong>single-factor authentication<\/strong>&nbsp;to replace static passwords with a unique PIN for each session instead of requiring a username and password.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alternatively, they can be combined with user-generated credentials for&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/blog\/security-now-why-two-factor-authentication-must-have\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">two-factor authentication (2FA),<\/a>&nbsp;requiring both something a person&nbsp;<em>knows<\/em>&nbsp;(like a PIN) and something they&nbsp;<em>have<\/em>&nbsp;(like a key fob). This can come into play during sign-up, login, or transaction approvals, where:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A customer attempts to use their username and password from an unrecognized device&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The customer then receives and uses their OTP to verify their identity and device<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How does a user get a one-time password?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting an OTP is quick and easy for the end user. Here\u2019s a common scenario:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A customer tries to log in to their online bank from a new device.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The bank doesn\u2019t recognize their device. They offer to send a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/blog\/send-whatsapp-otp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">verification code via WhatsApp<\/a>, SMS, phone call, push notification, or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mailgun.com\/blog\/email\/triggered-email-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">email<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The customer chooses how to receive the OTP and gets it in seconds.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The user enters the OTP along with their login details and \u2013 voila! They\u2019re in.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Pretty cool, right? Behind the scenes, all kinds of magic happened to generate and deliver that one-time passcode to the customer. We\u2019ll reveal the magician\u2019s secrets in the section below.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhatsApp-OTP_Blog-image_1400x700-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"WhatsApp OTP example\" class=\"wp-image-10679\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhatsApp-OTP_Blog-image_1400x700-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sinch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhatsApp-OTP_Blog-image_1400x700-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sinch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhatsApp-OTP_Blog-image_1400x700-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sinch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhatsApp-OTP_Blog-image_1400x700.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>An OTP can be sent via many different channels, like WhatsApp.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How does a one-time password work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Whenever a user tries to access a system or perform a transaction on an unauthenticated device, an&nbsp;<strong>OTP generator<\/strong>&nbsp;and an&nbsp;<strong>authentication server<\/strong>&nbsp;work together using security tokens (or shared secrets) to verify their identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, the OTP generator uses a hashed message authentication code (HMAC) algorithm to create a new, random code for each access request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the name implies, all OTPs only work once, but the unique password will either be hash-based (HOTP) or time-based (TOTP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">HOTP vs. TOTP<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The main difference between a&nbsp;<strong>hash-based OTP<\/strong>&nbsp;(HOTP) and&nbsp;<strong>time-based one-time password<\/strong>&nbsp;(TOTP) is the moving factor that changes each time the algorithm generates the code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hash-based OTPs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The moving factor is a counter, which is generated based on the total number of OTPs created<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Passwords are generated with an algorithm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Like taking a ticket in line at the bakery, the number is included in the password<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Passwords expire after use or a new OTP is requested<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are also known as event-based OTPs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Time-based OTPs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The moving factor is time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The password includes the exact time it\u2019s requested<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For example, 1:05:43 p.m. = 10543<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Passwords expire after use or a certain amount of time has passed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are also known as app-based authentication or software tokens<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are generally understood as being much more secure than HOTPs because they&#8217;re only valid for a specific period of time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Once issued, the OTP generator shares the new code with the backend authentication server.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When the user enters their code, the OTP authentication server uses the same algorithm as the generator to match the code for easy and instant validation!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/HOTP-vs-TOTP-one-time-passwords.png\" alt=\"Chart showing differences between hash-based OTPs and time-based OTPs (HOTP vs. TOTP)\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">HOTPs and TOTPs have a few key differences, but both help authenticate users.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are one-time passwords secure?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Passwords are a weak form of identity verification \u2013 68% of business&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sans.org\/blog\/tackling-modern-human-risks-in-cybersecurity-insights-from-the-verizon-dbir-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">data breaches<\/a>&nbsp;in 2024 have involved human error.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, how can businesses help their customers protect their passwords? Educating them on best practices, like never sharing passwords or reusing them across accounts, helps. But for businesses handling sensitive data, that\u2019s not enough. Adding another authentication method like one-time passwords or two-factor authentication boosts security by changing the verification with every login session or transaction.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Still, OTPs can be vulnerable to hackers. That\u2019s why we recommend&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/blog\/sim-based-verification-reducing-the-risk-of-cyber-attacks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SIM-based verification methods<\/a>&nbsp;which require users to interact with a prompt on their mobile devices, making life hard for opportunistic hackers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the benefits of OTPs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>OTPs are highly versatile, leveraging the widespread use of mobile devices to reach users across the globe. They can be delivered through different channels, making them accessible and user-friendly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With OTPs, organizations can offer their users a&nbsp;<strong>secure, scalable, and hassle-free authentication<\/strong>&nbsp;experience, safeguarding sensitive information and instilling trust in their digital platforms.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The core benefits boil down to:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enhanced fraud and data protection&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scalable global reach on mobile devices&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Convenience and ease of use&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Each benefit deserves some special attention, so let\u2019s dive in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stop identity thieves in their tracks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Businesses using OTPs make it much harder for unauthorized access to customer or employee accounts.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a demonstration, let\u2019s think about what might happen when an unauthorized person attempts to access another\u2019s online account. The rightful user receives a code they didn\u2019t request \u2013 definitely a red flag. While the business might not know if the attempt was legitimate, the user quickly realizes something\u2019s off and updates their password.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Verification messages are also sent if an unrecognized device tries to access the account, so the user can flag suspicious activity easily. This way, the user stays in control without unnecessary account lockouts, and businesses show they\u2019re actively protecting personal information, which goes a long way to earn trust!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Highly improbable for others to guess<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For such a simple idea (four to eight random numbers), OTPs are remarkably effective at mitigating the risks that come from weak password security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s look at this mathematically. If you issue a random six-digit code, an identity thief has to guess each number correctly within a short expiration window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That means 10 possibilities (zero through nine), six times (10x10x10x10x10x10).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n    <div  class=\"callout px-5 py-6 px-md-6 px-lg-7 py-md-7 longform-spacings rounded  bg-info\">\r\n\r\n        <div> <p>In other words, an identity thief has a one in a million chance of getting your OTP right, or a 0.000001% probability.<\/p><\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s just for your standard six-digit OTP. If they include eight digits, the would-be identity thief would probably have a better chance of winning the lottery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"easy-to-implement-across-multiple-channels\">Easy to implement across multiple channels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>SMS messaging is a popular choice for sending OTPs because it\u2019s fast, reliable, and widely used. In many markets,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/blog\/what-is-sms-verification\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SMS verification<\/a>&nbsp;is a budget-friendly option for businesses getting started with OTPs.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the beauty of OTPs is that they\u2019re versatile, and you can send them through any channel that your customers prefer, like WhatsApp,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/blog\/what-is-rcs-messaging\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rich Communication Services (RCS)<\/a>, email, and more.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Channels like&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/blog\/rcs-vs-whatsapp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">RCS and WhatsApp<\/a>&nbsp;are especially effective for OTPs because they allow your brand\u2019s messages to come from verified profiles straight to your customers\u2019 inboxes. This added layer of trust reduces the risk of fraud like&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/blog\/what-is-smishing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">smishing<\/a>, ensuring your customers can spot real messages from your business at a glance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gives your IT support a break<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve all got dozens of passwords and usernames to remember. Who hasn\u2019t forgotten at least one? From the streaming service account to online newspaper subscriptions, it\u2019s no small task keeping track of all that info.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s human to be forgetful. Without alternative verification methods, IT staff or customer care will get called in to help people regain access to their accounts, and that time adds up fast.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>OTPs can instead be used to reset passwords and save countless hours of manpower. As a result:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>IT and customer support teams have more time to focus their efforts on more productive tasks and business-critical issues.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The user has a quicker and more convenient method of resetting their password and regaining access to their account.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Easy for organizations to integrate and scale<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Using&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/apis\/verification\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">verification APIs<\/a>, organizations can easily build OTPs into their apps and products.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In just a short amount of time, these programmable verification integrations can quite literally pay for themselves by:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Safeguarding against internal and external cybersecurity threats by militating risk factors for unauthorized internal access, or external threats due to bad actors trying to obtain or guess a user\u2019s regular login credentials.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Securing customer trust by adding an extra layer of security beyond traditional username and password credentials, assuring customers that their data is safe from unauthorized access.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Freeing up your valuable human support resources by reducing the need for manual verification and assistance so they can focus on higher-level goals.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Improves the user experience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>According to our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/connections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2024 research<\/a>, 61% of consumers expect 2FA messages in a minute or less. That means fast, reliable verification is essential for a great user experience. A seamless, speedy 2FA process can make all the difference in how customers perceive your brand\u2019s reliability and security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Multi-factor authentication solutions like Sinch\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/apis\/verification\/sms\/\">SMS Verification API&nbsp;<\/a>provide security at scale and a buttery-smooth UX.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With Sinch, one simple integration makes user verification quick and easy through their mobile device, because:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Everyone has SMS on their mobile phones.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s a familiar and comfortable communication channel.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>People can receive texts almost anywhere in the world for next to nothing.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Endless OTP use cases and examples<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Okay, not exactly endless, but pretty close. With&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/blog\/verification-is-more-critical-then-ever\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">verification more critical than ever<\/a>, more and more industries are turning to two-factor authentication and OTPs to verify user identities. Here are some key sectors making great use of it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/blog\/evolving-cybersecurity-banking-without-harming-cx\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Financial services and digital banking:<\/a>&nbsp;<\/strong>OTPs ensure&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/blog\/customer-experience-financial-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">secure login and transaction verification<\/a>, protecting users&#8217; credit card information, funds, and sensitive data.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/industries\/retail\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Retail and e-commerce<\/a>:&nbsp;<\/strong>OTPs validate customer identities during payment processes and confirm transactions, helping to prevent fraud.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/industries\/healthcare\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Healthcare<\/a>:<\/strong>&nbsp;OTPs ensure secure access to patient records and confidential information.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Insurance and employee benefit providers:<\/strong>&nbsp;Insurers can use OTPs to validate and verify claim submissions and access to other important documents.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>IT services:&nbsp;<\/strong>OTPs add extra security for user authentication when employees log in to systems, networks, or applications.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Business administration:&nbsp;<\/strong>OTPs can secure access to confidential documents, or in workflows that include approval processes.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Government services:&nbsp;<\/strong>OTPs provide extra security for logging in to portals or applications like tax filing, permit applications, or benefits enrollment.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Across industries, some additional useful applications of one-time passcodes include validating users when they take certain actions, like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/blog\/user-authentication-getting-most-out-sms-otp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Authenticating their identity<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Authenticating a device<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Registering as a new user<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Signing in and logging on<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confirming a transaction<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Registering or resetting a password<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Validating a money transfer request<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The future of OTPs and authentication<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When we think about OTPs of the future, it\u2019s clear the market will keep evolving \u2013 both in terms of stronger solutions and increasingly clever cyber threats. So, how can OTPs and authentication stay ahead of the curve? Here are a few key trends shaping the future:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>A more identity-aware internet:<\/strong>&nbsp;Users will increasingly have more control over and interest in their personal data and will demand having safer digital identities.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Decline of traditional MFA:<\/strong>&nbsp;Stronger customer authentication methods are replacing traditional MFA, thanks to sectors like banking and e-commerce seeking enhanced security and convenience.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Blending the old and the new:&nbsp;<\/strong>The future will see a mix of traditional verification methods paired with new tech to maintain continuity while boosting security.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Expanding channels:&nbsp;<\/strong>Mobile-first solutions will grow, with options like&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/apis\/verification\/flash-call\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Flash Call<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/apis\/verification\/data-verification\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Data Verification<\/a>, and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/apis\/verification\/voice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Phone Call Verification<\/a>&nbsp;becoming key for secure, flexible authentication.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>OTPs will no doubt continue to be a part of this landscape, but the future will lie in solutions that continually adapt to changing user preferences and needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Learn more about one-time passwords (OTPs) and user authentication<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So, there you have it. Now you\u2019ve seen how versatile OTPs can be, and learned how they can help you keep your customers safe.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to learn more? Check out these resources to level-up your authentication and verification knowledge in an evolving cybersecurity landscape:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/blog\/key-takeaways-digital-identity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">5 key takeaways on digital identity and authentication<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/blog\/machine-learning-fraud-detection-ai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to use machine learning for fraud detection<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/blog\/what-is-sms-spoofing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">What is SMS spoofing and how to prevent it<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/blog\/why-you-should-blend-verification-methods-for-your-mobile-app-or-website\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Why you should blend verification methods for your mobile app or website<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For those really looking to nerd-out, check out our whitepaper on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/resources\/two-factor-authentication-why-sms-here-stay\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Two-factor authentication.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n        <div  class=\"longform-spacings\">\r\n\r\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/resources\/two-factor-authentication-why-sms-here-stay\/\" class=\"card-link text-decoration-none \" title=\"Two-factor authentication: Why SMS is here to stay\">\r\n                        <div class=\"card shadow-none bg-light rounded row g-0 flex-md-row card-horizontal  h-100 \">\r\n                                                            <div class=\"col-md-6\">\r\n                        \r\n                        \r\n                        <div class=\"card-image-zoom h-100\">\r\n\r\n                            \r\n                            \r\n                                                            <img class=\"rounded-0\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/SI-Guide-CX-Retail-Ecommerce-1-784x486.png\" alt=\"Image for Two-factor authentication: Why SMS is here to stay\">\r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n                                                <\/div>\r\n                                                                        <div class=\"col-md-6 d-flex align-items-center\">\r\n                                        <div class=\"card-body d-flex flex-column gap-4 justify-content-between\">\r\n                        <div>\r\n                            \r\n                                                            <div class=\"fs-xs d-flex gap-3 justify-content-between pb-2\">\r\n                                                                                                                <span class=\"time text-nowrap ms-auto\">\r\n                                            1 min                                        <\/span>\r\n                                                                    <\/div>\r\n                                                        <h3 class=\"card-title text-accent mb-0 fw-bold h4 \"\r\n                                data-title-clamp='true'                                style='--sinch-card-title-clamp-lines: 4'>\r\n                                Two-factor authentication: Why SMS is here to stay                            <\/h3>\r\n                                                                                <\/div>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"text-start\">\r\n                                                                    <span class=\"btn-arrow fs-sm\">\r\n                                        Learn more                                    <\/span>\r\n                                                            <\/div>\r\n                                            <\/div>\r\n                                        <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n\r\n                        <\/a>\r\n        \r\n                <\/div>\r\n\n\n\n<p>Otherwise, contact us&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">anytime<\/a>&nbsp;to chat with one of our experts about how to protect your customers and open the door to better customer engagement!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":64466,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"blog_category":[77,75],"class_list":["post-17037","blog","type-blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","blog_category-fraud-and-security","blog_category-products"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What is a One-Time Password (OTP)? 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