Kensington, a division of ACCO Brands, has expanded its VeriMark biometric security key portfolio with two new NFC-enabled hardware security keys certified to FIDO2 Level 2, the highest security tier in the FIDO Alliance’s authenticator certification programme.
The new VeriMark NFC+ USB-C Security Key and VeriMark NFC+ USB-A Security Key support the latest FIDO CTAP 2.1 protocol, delivering phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (MFA) and passwordless login protection across enterprise and consumer environments.
Both models offer dual-interface connectivity, allowing users to authenticate either through a direct USB plug-in connection or via NFC tap on supported mobile and desktop devices. The keys are compatible with Windows 10 and 11, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Chrome OS, as well as major browsers including Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Edge.
The devices support emerging passkey standards and Apple ID integration, enabling organisations and individual users to transition away from passwords while maintaining hardware-backed user verification. Both keys carry IP68 durability ratings for water, dust, and crush resistance and require no driver installation, working immediately when connected.
FIDO2 Level 2 certification requires authenticators to meet enhanced security requirements including hardware-based key storage and resistance to both physical and software-based attacks. The certification level is increasingly required by enterprise IT policies and government security frameworks that mandate phishing-resistant authentication for access to sensitive systems.
Kensington’s existing VeriMark portfolio includes fingerprint-based security keys that support Windows Hello and Windows Hello for Business biometric login. The new NFC+ models add tap-based authentication without requiring fingerprint capture on the device itself, broadening the range of deployment scenarios to include shared workstations, mobile-first environments, and situations where biometric capture at the key may not be practical.
The launch comes as enterprises and government agencies continue to accelerate adoption of passwordless authentication, driven by persistent credential theft and phishing attacks that traditional password-based systems cannot adequately defend against. The FIDO Alliance has reported growing momentum for passkey adoption across major platforms, with support now built into Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android operating systems. Hardware security keys such as the VeriMark NFC+ line provide an additional layer of assurance for high-security environments where software-only passkey implementations may not meet compliance requirements.
Sources: Business Wire
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
