Kensington, a division of ACCO Brands, has released two NFC-enabled hardware security keys certified to FIDO2 Level 2, the highest tier in the FIDO Alliance’s authenticator certification programme, bringing tap-based phishing-resistant login to smartphones and tablets alongside traditional USB desktop authentication.
The VeriMark NFC+ USB-C Security Key and VeriMark NFC+ USB-A Security Key support the FIDO CTAP 2.1 protocol, delivering multi-factor authentication and passwordless login across both mobile and desktop environments. The dual-interface design allows authentication either through a direct USB connection or via NFC tap on a compatible device, a configuration aimed at mobile-first workplaces where carrying a USB-only key is impractical.
Both models are compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS, as well as major browsers including Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Edge. The keys also support emerging passkey standards and Apple ID integration, enabling organizations and individuals to move away from passwords while maintaining hardware-backed verification.
FIDO2 Level 2 certification requires hardware-based key storage and resistance to both physical and software-based attacks. That level of assurance is increasingly mandated by enterprise IT policies and government security frameworks that require phishing-resistant authentication for access to sensitive systems. The certification distinguishes the VeriMark NFC+ line from lower-tier authenticators that rely on software-only key protection.
Kensington’s existing VeriMark portfolio includes fingerprint-based security keys that support biometric login through Windows Hello. The new NFC+ models add tap-based authentication without requiring fingerprint capture on the device itself, broadening deployment to shared workstations, kiosk environments, and mobile-first scenarios where biometric capture at the key is not practical. Both keys carry IP68 durability ratings for water, dust, and crush resistance and require no driver installation, working immediately when plugged in or tapped against a compatible device.
The launch arrives as passkey adoption accelerates across major mobile and desktop platforms. Hardware-backed authenticators such as the VeriMark NFC+ line provide an additional layer of assurance for organizations that need phishing resistance beyond what software-based passkeys deliver. With a growing share of enterprise authentication now originating on mobile devices, the NFC tap capability positions the keys as a bridge between desktop security infrastructure and the smartphone-centric workflows that are replacing it.
Sources: Kensington
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By the Mobile ID World Editorial Team
