Accessibility of Modern (Multi-Factor) Authentication Methods
| Thesis type | Master Thesis |
| Supervisor | Erwin Kupris |
| Starting date | As soon as possible |
| Skills | LaTeX, Git, Any programming language |
| Language | English (preferred), German |
| Industry cooperation | not possible |
| Publish date | 2024-06-17 |
Problem and context
The rise of cyber threats has led to the widespread adoption of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) methods as a means to secure user accounts. However, while MFA increases security, its accessibility to all users, including those with disabilities, remains a significant concern. Many modern MFA methods, such as biometric authentication, mobile push notifications, and hardware tokens, may not be easily usable by individuals with various impairments (e.g., visual, auditory, motor).
As digital security practices evolve, there is a growing need to balance robust security measures with user accessibility. This research will investigate the current state of accessibility in modern MFA methods, identify barriers faced by users with disabilities, and explore potential solutions to enhance the inclusivity of these security measures. The findings of this research will be valuable for cybersecurity professionals, developers, and policymakers aiming to create more accessible and secure authentication systems.
Goals
The primary goal of this thesis is to evaluate the accessibility of various modern MFA methods and propose recommendations to improve their inclusivity for users with disabilities. The thesis can focus on a number of sub-topics, including, but not limited to:
- Conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature on MFA methods and their accessibility features, identifying common accessibility barriers associated with different MFA technologies.
- Design and conduct user testing sessions with participants who have different types of disabilities, assessing the usability and accessibility of selected MFA methods.
- Utilize accessibility evaluation tools and frameworks (e.g., WCAG guidelines [1]) to systematically analyze the accessibility of MFA methods.
- Conduct interviews and surveys with users, accessibility experts, and cybersecurity professionals to gather qualitative data on experiences and perceptions regarding MFA accessibility.
- Based on the findings, develop a set of actionable recommendations to improve the accessibility of MFA methods.
- Possibility to publish a resulting research paper
Thesis proposals for adjacent topics are welcome. Get in touch if you have further questions.
Literature
- https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/