Google Brings NFC to its Titan Security Keys

Google is simplifying its Titan Security Key product lineup by adding NFC support and discontinuing the Bluetooth versions. Going forward, there will only be two versions: One based on USB-A and one based on USB-C.

“Both of these keys have Near Field Communication (NFC) functionality, which allows you to use it with most mobile devices by simply tapping it on the back of your mobile device in order to sign in securely,” Google’s Christiaan Brand writes. “These keys will be available for all users starting tomorrow, August 10.”

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Google announced its first Titan Security Keys in August 2018 after announcing the product family a month earlier. They were, and are, hardware fobs for enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) in a very secure fashion. But the original lineup included both wireless (via Bluetooth) and USB-based options. Now, there are only USB-based versions, each of which also supports NFC. (Existing Bluetooth-based fobs will continue to work.)

The new Titan Security Keys work with PCs, iPhones (with a Lightning adapter), iPads, and Android smartphones and tablets. They will be available from the Google Store, with the USB-A+NFC key, which includes a USB-A to USB-C adapter, costing $30, and the USB-C+NFC key at $35.

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Conversation 5 comments

  • Brent Morris

    10 August, 2021 - 9:48 am

    <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Google&nbsp;AND </span>Security&nbsp;????? – what a great punch line to a huge joke.</p>

    • crunchyfrog

      10 August, 2021 - 1:44 pm

      <p>Google takes our security seriously but only to keep everyone else out other than Google itself.</p>

  • crunchyfrog

    10 August, 2021 - 1:34 pm

    <p>I bought the original offering and still have it but moved on the using Yubico keys. I thought the original had NFC but it was supposed to be activated at some point in the future. I will have to test this.</p><p>The BLE option was gimmicky and I rarely used it.</p>

    • christianwilson

      Premium Member
      10 August, 2021 - 1:51 pm

      <p>I have been thinking about getting Yubikeys. Are they working well for you? I see they have a USB-C/Lightning key available now. </p>

      • mclark2112

        Premium Member
        13 August, 2021 - 9:04 pm

        <p>Going to be rolling out about 250 Yubikeys later this year. They are fantastic.</p>

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