This IDC study provides a top-down sizing of the hardware authentication token market in 2003 and a segmented 2004?2008 forecast for it. Segments of this market include traditional authentication tokens, USB authentication tokens, and software licensing authentication tokens. Specific vendor revenue and market shares are included. The token market in this study does not include software revenue but, instead, deals exclusively with hardware.

"Hardware authentication tokens have existed for many years. However, the interest in these solutions is growing," said Charles Kolodgy, research director for IDC's Security Products program. "Enterprises are looking toward stronger authentication methods as they expand connectivity and are mandated by government regulation to positively identify those with access to regulated information."