Item: Google Authenticator
Rating: 8
Author: Verified User

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Google Authenticator is being used as a two-step authentication for user accounts. It provides another layer of security when logging into my user accounts and works similar to how two-step authentication using a text message verification code would work.

Pros and Cons

An extra layer of security for your user accounts
The two-step verification can be a code from your phone or a USB drive as a security key
Easy to use

Once you lose access to your device you will be locked out of whatever accounts that you had set up to use with this app
Can't transfer the codes to another device

Return on Investment

Added layer of security for important business user accounts.
I can see if employees are trying to access specific user accounts from unknown devices.

Alternatives Considered

Google Authenticator gets the job done and I have not had any issues, but the main issue is that you can't transfer security codes to another device. If you lose access to your device, you will be locked out. Using text message codes seems to be the best option overall at the moment because codes can be transferred or viewed on other devices such as your iPhone to iPad, etc.

Support Rating

The app doesn't seem to receive the same level of attention as other apps and does not get a lot of updates. There is support, but not the same level of love as other Google apps.

Key Insights

Do you think Google Authenticator delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Google Authenticator's feature set?

Yes

Did Google Authenticator live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Google Authenticator go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Google Authenticator again?

Yes

Other Software Used

ecomdash, Freshdesk, Google Analytics, Google Ads (formerly AdWords), Google Drive, Blogger

Likelihood to Recommend

It's great as a device-specific security code for authentication and good for an employee or business user with a business phone, etc. It would be less appropriate for an everyday user that switches phones often, depends on multiple devices, etc.

Users and Roles

2 - There 2 people, including myself that use Google Authenticator in our organization and it's used for logging into secure accounts such as Google and Amazon

Support Headcount Required

1 - There are no major skills required because using it is pretty straight forward, but it does require understanding of how 2 factor authentication works and how to use the Google authentication app

Business Processes Supported

Securing our google accounts with 2 factor authentication
Securing our amazon account with 2 factor authentication
adding extra security from cyber attacks

Innovative Uses

It can be used to see when someone is logging onto one of our accounts with require the authentication app
Extra level of security for free

Future Planned Uses

We can be used to secure other online accounts in the future when more companies are supporting 2FA
Securing Windows Computer Logins and Mobile Device logins

Likelihood to Renew

It works as intended, easy to setup, free and gives you another level of security against any unwanted access or cyber attacks

Products Replaced

Key Differentiators

Price
Product Usability
Product Reputation
Vendor Reputation
Existing Relationship with the Vendor

I usually have a positive experience using Google products so I knew we couldn't go wrong with their authentication app

Evaluation Lessons Learned

If I had to do it again, I might consider upgrading to a 2 factor or multifactor authentication key, instead of relying on an app

Implementation Rating

It was easy to implement and it went very smoothly. No issues

Implementation Details / Implementation Partner

Implemented in-house

Implementation Phases

Change Management Lessons

Change management was minimal - There was no issues with change management with implementing Google Authenticator, so there was no lessons that were learned