One of the benefits of the SSH Tectia client/server solution is its wide support for various user authentication mechanisms, such as RSA SecurID. RSA SecurID is an authentication system that is based on a credit-card-sized authenticator token that generates a new passcode every 60 seconds. The user combines this code with a secret PIN code that enables secure login to protected resources.

The support for RSA SecurID has been implemented using a method called keyboard-interactive. It enables implementation of new authentication schemes based on keyboard interaction without the need to modify the client side. The keyboard-interactive authentication method is defined in RFC 4256.

In this use scenario, SSH Tectia Client is used to perform secure terminal-based administration and file transfer while using RSA SecurID for two-factor authentication. SSH Tectia Server includes support for RSA Authentication Agent API. The RSA Authentication Agent must be installed on the same server. The Agent connects to the RSA Authentication Manager that performs the user identity validation against the one-time password generated by the token.

Figure 5.9 shows the overall architecture of this use scenario.

Figure 5.9. Secure system administration using RSA SecurID for authentication