Verified User

Consultant in Information Technology (1-10 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

With so many systems we use and access client systems, security is of the utmost importance. Google Authenticator helps us quickly set up and access 2-Factor Authentication across the full suite of applications we use, from any native device.

Pros

High security.
Easy to set up with QR scanning.
Getting access to systems quickly and securely.

Cons

Search is Ok but wishing there's a quicker way.
Lots of systems add up to the long list.

Return on Investment

Enabling high security on 90% of apps used.

Usability

Other Software Used

Google Drive, Plutio, Zoho CRM Plus

Jesus Mata View profile

Estimator in Professional Services at Kennedy Fabricating, Inc. (51-200 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I like that it is a good second factor of authentication that has to be used at the moment of logging in. Having an app that refreshes often and forces you to match an existing number is helpful, especially if I don't want to go to my email and refresh or wait for quite a while to see if the email has been received. With the app, the number is already there. All I have to do is wait for the numbers to match and you are good to go!

Pros

Authenticates users in a quick an responsive manner
Gives a greater sense of security as it authenticates users through matching numbers
If the numbers ever time out, I just have to wait 5-10 seconds instead of waiting nearly 10 minutes to see if I have received the email. It saves time!

Cons

I would like for the timer to start when you log in, not to be on a constant loop.
Notifications for need use for the app might be helpful.
Folders for different sites could prove helpful in organization

Return on Investment

Getting into my account 5 minutes faster can save us precious time in getting a response faster when requested.
I have had situations where I can't get into my account because the email never arrived into my main inbox, it was in the junk folder! The app has somewhere I can go to directly and have a prompt response.

Usability

Verified User

Contributor in Sales (1001-5000 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I use Google Authenticator every single day. Each morning, I log into my work system with a username and password, but I can not access my important accounts like email, Salesforce CRM, JIRA, Workday, etc. until I have logged in with Google Authenticator. The product addresses security as we work with sensitive client data. Ensuring that employees of my company have only the necessary access is crucial.

Pros

Ease of access when using the app.
Timeliness of providing a code.
Allows for multiple accounts.

Cons

I wish there were a way to access the code outside the app.
I wish I had more accounts to use it on.
I wish I could send a Bluetooth signal instead of typing in a code.

Return on Investment

Secure information.
Ensuring that the correct employees access the right information.
Access to the full Google Suite for Business.

Usability

Alternatives Considered

GeeTest CAPTCHA

Other Software Used

Clari, Google Gemini, Workday Workforce Management

Verified User

Administrator in Information Technology (201-500 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I utilize Google Authenticator for storing all of my multi-factor authentication keys for several district-related logins that I manage for our organization. It's incredibly simple to use, and doesn't take up much storage space on my phone. New keys generate every 15 seconds in the app, and you can password protect the app itself for an additional layer of security.

Pros

Allows QR codes to be scanned for importing new MFA accounts within the app
Allows you to manually enter a setup key for importing new MFA accounts within the app
Allows a "privacy mode" so that only your phone code or biometrics/fingerprint can open the app
Universally works with all MFA accounts that are not proprietary in nature (like Watchguard Authpoint)
Free to use!

Cons

I wish you could change the duration of time each key is available for.

Return on Investment

I'd have to imagine it has saved us some money from other paid MFA solutions that exist in the world. Unsure how I would be able to calculate that amount, though. It's free to use!

Usability

Alternatives Considered

WatchGuard AuthPoint

Verified User

Consultant (1-10 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Having 2FA is critical in today's day and age. Especially with the onslaught of AI, hacking is going to become easier than ever. It's an easy best practice and using an authenticator app is much more secure than getting a text or call. Google Authenticator is easy to use and set up, even more tech averse peoople.

Pros

Provides time based authenticator codes
Allows you to search code by name

Cons

Does not let you easily edit a name after searching for it.
Doesn't allow you to see the secret key if you need to add it to a different authenticator app.

Return on Investment

It is a free app, therefore, ultimate ROI
Makes it easy to ensure accounts are secure
Super easy to use

Usability

Alternatives Considered

Bitwarden, LastPass for Business and 1Password

Other Software Used

Bitwarden, LastPass for Business, 1Password

Google Authenticator

What is Google Authenticator?

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