Let’s be honest, passwords are a mess. People reuse them, attackers steal them, and phishing scams keep getting more convincing. That’s why hardware security keys have been gaining popularity with businesses and everyday users who want something stronger than yet another password.
Kensington is now expanding its VeriMark lineup with two new devices designed to make authentication both safer and easier. The company has announced the VeriMark NFC+ USB-C Security Key and the VeriMark NFC+ USB-A Security Key, both aimed at helping organizations and individuals move toward passwordless security.
Instead of relying on passwords or codes sent to your phone, these keys use public key cryptography combined with a physical tap to verify your identity. In other words, you plug the key into a device or tap it using NFC and the login is approved. If someone does not have the physical key, they cannot authenticate.
Both new models are FIDO2 Level 2 certified and support the FIDO CTAP 2.1 protocol. That might sound like alphabet soup, but the takeaway is simple. These keys are built to meet modern enterprise security standards and support features such as resident credentials, enterprise attestation, user verification, and passkey compatibility.
Compatibility is broad as well. Kensington says the devices work with Windows 10 and Windows 11, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Chrome OS. They also function across major browsers like Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Edge, while supporting authentication systems such as Apple ID, Passkeys, FIDO2, U2F, and PIV.
The addition of NFC is particularly useful for mobile devices. Instead of plugging in a key, users can simply tap it against a compatible phone or laptop to complete the login. It’s a small detail, but one that makes hardware authentication feel far less clunky in day to day use.
Kensington also says the keys require no drivers or special setup. You plug them in and they work. For organizations that want deeper integration, optional tools like VeriMark Key Manager, VeriMark Access, and VeriMark Companion are available.
Durability is another highlight. Both keys carry an IP68 rating, meaning they are resistant to water, dust, and general abuse. They are also small enough to live on a keychain, which makes sense given that the entire idea is to keep the authentication device physically with you.
As phishing attacks continue to cause major security headaches for companies, hardware based authentication is becoming harder to ignore. Because the private credentials stay inside the physical key, attackers cannot simply steal them through fake login pages or compromised websites.
Pricing is fairly straightforward. The VeriMark NFC+ USB-C Security Key costs $55, while the VeriMark NFC+ USB-A Security Key comes in slightly cheaper at $50. Both are backed by a two year limited warranty.
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