What does OAC mean in UNCLASSIFIED

What is an Online Authorization Code?

An online authorization code (OAC) is a randomly generated string of letters or numbers used as part of the two-factor authentication process. This code must be entered in order to gain access to secured services or resources online. After authenticating your identity with another form of verification such as a username and password, you will be prompted to enter the OAC before you can proceed.

The OAC has an expiration period that begins when it is issued and ends shortly after it has been used or verified. This provides additional security since no one has access to protected information if they do not have access to the one-time OAC code.

Benefits of Using Online Authorization Codes

Using an OAC as part of your two-factor authentication process helps protect sensitive data from unauthorized access by adding an extra layer of security beyond just a username and password combination. By relying on this authorization code rather than something like SMS messages or emails, there are fewer chances for hackers to gain unauthorized access because these codes are temporary and cannot be reused once they have expired. Additionally, using an OAC helps prevent fraud and abuse since users must provide both their credentials as well as this special code in order to gain access to protected resources.