Hardware Security Keys

Imagine a physical key that you use to unlock your home. Now, think about that concept into the digital world. A hardware security key is a physical device, often resembling a small USB stick, used for authenticating access to various digital services. Think of it as a physical testament to your digital identity.

Why are they important? In an era where cyber threats loom at every corner, the traditional username-password combination is no longer enough. This is where hardware security keys come into play, providing an added layer of security known as two-factor authentication (2FA). The idea behind the physical key is that digital world is relatively easier to hacker than the physical world, If a malicious actor would like to hack into our servers, services or our product but is requiring a physical barrier than it might make things and life of the malicious actor harder. At the bottom line of information security and cyber security, security is all about layers of protections, barriers, doors, locks etc. Security is not a one solution fits all or a solution that protects all, and safey and security are not meant to provide a full coverage, it’s all about making the life of a potential malicious actor harder.

The Mechanics Behind the Magic

Hardware security keys function on the principle of public key cryptography. With the ability to store data in a USB like “key”, effectively we say we have an offline storage location(the USD storage data) it means we can store very sensitive data in that key, sensitive data that is only accessible to whoever holds the physical key. Here’s a simplified breakdown:

1. Registration / Setup: When you register the key with a service, it creates a pair of cryptographic keys – one public, one private. The public key is stored with the online service, while the private key remains securely on the device.
2. Authentication / Verification: During login, after entering your username and password (something you know), you insert the hardware key (something you have). The service sends a challenge, which your key signs using the private key. Only the corresponding public key can verify this signature, thus authenticating your access.

This method effectively counters common cyber-attacks like phishing, where attackers trick you into revealing your credentials.

Pros and Cons of Physical Keys

Like any other security measurement, Here we might find uniq disadvantages to physical keys but we’ll also find that physical keys come in hand in specific scenarios which we’ll try to discuss afterwards. first, let’s dive in to advantages of physical keys:

Advantage	Description
Enhanced Security	Resistant to phishing and replay attacks since the key does not reveal the private key and signs uniquely each time.
No Need for Passwords	Reduces reliance on passwords which can be weak or reused. passwords might be brute force and having a physical keys reduce that risk.
Physical Control	Physical possession required for access, reducing the risk of remote hacking.
Easy to Use	Simple operation, often just a button press, without the need to enter codes.
Strong Authentication	Provides strong two-factor authentication as it uses cryptographic proof of identity.
Resilience to Social Engineering	Not susceptible to tricks like fake login pages or phishing emails.
Portability	Small and easy to carry, making them convenient for users on the go.
Standardized	Often support universal standards like FIDO U2F or WebAuthn, ensuring broad compatibility.
Durable	Designed to be durable and resistant to physical damage.
Privacy-Friendly	Do not require the user to submit personal details for authentication.

With all the above advantages there are some disadvantages to using a physical key, one of them is the initial cost. and here’s are the rest of the disadvantages:

Disadvantage	Description
Cost	Hardware keys require an initial purchase, which can be a barrier for some users and organizations.
Loss Risk	Being a physical device, there’s a risk of losing the key, potentially leading to access issues.
Damage Risk	Physical damage to the key can render it unusable, requiring replacement. which means we must have backup approach to access our data.
Limited Recovery Options	If lost or damaged, recovery options may be limited or cumbersome.
Not Universally Supported	Not all services and applications support hardware keys, limiting their usability. we can use a key in one system (e.g computer) but we cannot use it for something else.
Inconvenient for Multiple Users	Sharing keys among multiple users can be impractical, especially in large organizations. who has the key could be a problem etc.
Dependence on Physical Device	Dependence on a physical device might not be ideal in all scenarios, especially for remote or mobile users.
No Remote Access	If the key is forgotten or lost, remote access to accounts can be impossible.
Compatibility Issues	Some keys might not be compatible with all types of devices or ports (e.g., USB-C, Lightning).
Wear and tear	At the end, the life of the key depends on the ability to physical use it, and if we use it a lot of times by a lot of people, the wear and tear are a real concerns and factors for physical keys.

When To use Physical Key?

Here are some use cases where it make sense to use physical key, But at the end we’ll try to go over an example of a company that use physical key to better understand the pros and cons of that security protection approach.

1. Remote Work Environments: For employees working remotely, hardware security keys provide a secure way to authenticate and access corporate networks and systems. This is especially important given the increased security risks associated with remote connections.
2. Financial Institutions: Banks and other financial organizations handle sensitive financial data, making them prime targets for cyber attacks. Hardware security keys offer an additional layer of security, which is crucial for protecting customer information and complying with financial regulations.
3. Healthcare Industry: In healthcare, protecting patient data is not just a matter of privacy but also compliance with laws like HIPAA. Hardware security keys can help ensure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive medical records.
4. Government Agencies: Government entities often handle confidential data and are at a high risk of state-sponsored cyber attacks. Hardware keys can provide a more secure form of authentication for accessing classified information.
5. Technology Companies: For tech companies, particularly those dealing with software development or cloud-based services, protecting intellectual property and client data is paramount. Hardware security keys can be a part of a robust security strategy to protect against data breaches and unauthorized access.

Besides the above examples, Let’s go over another example, A mid-sized corporate company, specializing in financial consultancy, faces increasing concerns over the security of sensitive client data and internal confidential information. To address this, the company decides to implement a policy requiring all employees to use external USB physical security keys to access their work computers and the company’s network. The company distributes USB hardware security keys to all employees. These keys are required to unlock their work computers and access the company’s intranet and sensitive databases. Adding the physical keys doesn’t protect the company completely, However it slows down the potential malicious actor and increase the difficulty of accessing sensitive information. It also requires the relevant holder of the physical key to use it and be present in order to access the company sensitive information or databases.

Physical Keys

Name	Description	Pros	Cons	Technology
Yubico – YubiKey Series	A range of keys supporting multiple protocols and connections.	Versatile, supports NFC, USB-A, USB-C.	Can be pricey, physical risk of loss.	FIDO U2F, FIDO2, Smart card, OTP
Google – Titan Security Key	Designed by Google, offers strong two-factor authentication.	High security, backed by Google.	Limited availability in some regions.	FIDO U2F, Bluetooth, NFC
Thetis – FIDO U2F Security Key	A U2F security key compatible with various services.	Affordable, durable build.	No NFC, basic design.	FIDO U2F
Feitian – ePass FIDO NFC Security Key	Supports FIDO U2F with NFC capability.	NFC support, compact design.	Less known brand, limited features.	FIDO U2F, NFC
SoloKeys – Solo V2	Open-source FIDO2 security key.	Open-source, transparent security.	Relatively new in the market.	FIDO2, USB-A, USB-C
Nitrokey – Nitrokey FIDO2	Focuses on open-source and secure keys.	Strong emphasis on security, open-source.	Slightly bulkier, limited NFC models.	FIDO2
OnlyKey – OnlyKey	A password manager and security key in one.	Multi-functional, encrypted storage.	Complexity for average users.	FIDO2, Password Manager
Kensington – VeriMark USB Fingerprint Key	Integrates biometric fingerprint recognition with FIDO U2F.	Biometric security, compact.	Fingerprint sensor can be finicky.	FIDO U2F, Biometric
HyperFIDO – Titanium U2F Security Key	Known for its durability and wide compatibility.	Highly durable, wide service compatibility.	Basic functionality, no advanced features.	FIDO U2F
AuthenTrend – ATKey.Pro	Combines fingerprint technology with a security key.	Biometric authentication, added security layer.	Higher cost, requires compatible devices.	FIDO2, Biometric

In conclusion, Physical keys are another layer of protection for our organization that meant to help us to protect our sensitive data in various ways. however those keys are not replacement to other security and authentication methods.