How does a static password token function in authentication?

A static password token functions in authentication by requiring the owner to authenticate to the token itself while the token simultaneously authenticates the user to the information system. In this context, a static password token generates a predefined password that is known only to the user and the information system. This means that when a user wants to access a system, they enter the static password provided by the token, which is then verified by the information system.

This method establishes a clear line of authentication where the token serves as a facilitator for the credential (the static password) without generating new or random passwords each time. The authentication process relies on the integrity of the static password, ensuring that only the rightful owner, who possesses the token, can gain access to the system.

The other options do not accurately describe the operation of a static password token. For instance, stating that only the owner can access the token does not address how the authentication process works. Similarly, claiming that the token generates random passwords misrepresents its function, as static tokens produce fixed passwords, not dynamic ones. Lastly, the use of biometric data pertains to a different type of authentication mechanism altogether and does not apply to static password tokens.