Users of Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) Apps Premium, as well as the Education and Government editions of Google Apps can now make use of two-factor authentication for increased security. The optional security feature was unveiled by Google earlier this week, and entails the keying in of a verification code obtained via something that users have with them, such as a mobile phone.

At the moment, the verification code can either be sent to a mobile phone via SMS or via a voice call. Alternatively, it can be generated using a dedicated application that Google will make available for the major smartphone platforms: Android, BlackBerry OS and iOS. In addition, users are also provided a set of one time passcodes as a backup--in case their mobile devices are lost or unavailable.

Google calls its implementation of two-factor authentication "two-step verification," which the Google Apps Enterprise administrator can turn on for individual users. Designed as an open standard, Google says it has plans to open source the mobile authenticator app for other companies to customize and use in the future.  Also, this same feature will be offered for free to individual, non-Premium Google users in the coming months.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at CNET News
- check out this article at InformationWeek
- check out this article at Google Enterprise Blog

Related Articles:
Google Apps Marketplace touts CRM offerings
Some pros and cons in Google Business Apps
Forrester: Office 2010 will meet with consumer success
Office 2010 tools take cue from Google Apps