SecureEnvoy has joined hands with PasswordBank to allow users access multiple cloud services at the same time using their mobile phones. This collaboration will help users access cloud services such as Google Apps, Office365, and Salesforce.com at the same time using mobile phone-based two-factor authentication.

As the cloud security is becoming an increasing concern, so does the need for two-factor authentication as it offers a safer way of verifying the identity of a person using a password and another one-time password, which adds an extra layer of security compared to authenticating users with just passwords.

“Enterprises can either choose to install an application on employees’ smartphones, as well as other types of devices that creates the one-time passwords or use text messages to distribute them,” said Steve Watts, co-founder and sales director at SecurEnvoy.

“The popularity of using an application versus text messages to distribute the one-time passwords differs greatly in different parts of the world. In Europe, the split is about 60-40 favoring SMS, while the application route is favored by a large majority of U.S. users. In many other parts of the world, including South America, India and Africa, SMS dominates, he added.”

Cloud security is rapidly becoming an increasing issue of concern, which is quite evident from the incident that happened with Gizmodo writer Mat Honan whose iCloud account hacked, with all his devices remote wiped, and Twitter account flooded with inappropriate posts.

What does all of this tell us about cloud security? Is it just a freak occurrence or something that should concern everyone who uses the consumer cloud? The fundamental problem with the cloud is that you are essentially at the mercy of your cloud provider. No matter how much cautious you become, this problem stays. So, the best thing cloud providers as well as users can do is to gear up for any situation.