What are security tokens used for?

Security tokens are primarily used to provide an additional layer of authentication, which significantly enhances the security of user access to sensitive systems and data. When integrated into an authentication process, security tokens enable multi-factor authentication (MFA), requiring users to present something they have (the token) alongside something they know (like a password). This combination makes it much more difficult for unauthorized users to gain access, as they would need both the password and the physical or digital token to authenticate successfully.

This approach mitigates risks associated with password-based security, such as phishing attacks or the reuse of compromised passwords. The token can come in various forms, such as hardware tokens, software tokens on mobile devices, or physical smart cards, each providing a unique code or cryptographic key that changes over time or is used in conjunction with other authentication factors.

In contrast, the other options address different aspects of security but do not capture the primary purpose of security tokens. Backup solutions for lost passwords typically involve recovery mechanisms rather than active, ongoing authentication. Email encryption focuses on securing the content of email messages during transmission or storage, while monitoring network traffic is a separate area of security that involves observing and managing data flows to prevent unauthorized access or breaches. Thus, the role of security tokens revolves