Using research to determine product attributes and stratification for the design and marketing of user authentication

This paper explores needs and wants in the form of attribute sets for user authentication product offerings for use in securing data access as well as information and Internet access control. Seeking to determine optimal attribute for products that match market segment demands is a critical step in the design function. Research has been conducted using both quantitative and qualitative methods to accomplish a comprehensive view of the user, the marketplace and product attribute demand. This research exposes a clear hierarchy of needs as well as some indicators of the level of awareness of the problem that these products attempt to resolve. There is sufficient demand in the marketplace, but the development and design priorities must be set based upon innovation diffusion, potential returns and available resource allocation.*; *This dissertation is a compound document (contains both a paper copy and a CD as part of the dissertation). The CD requires the following system requirements: Adobe Acrobat; Windows Picture and Fax Viewer.