Authentication systems and methods for interconnected devices

An authentication system, comprising:

• processing circuitry configured to:
• receive a request to authenticate a user via an authentication application installed on a user device;
• perform a first authentication step that comprises determining that a number of interconnected devices in communication with the user device exceeds a threshold;
• confirm that a support application that is configured to enable the user to control the interconnected devices is installed on the user device;
• and
• in response to completion of the first authentication step and confirmation that the support application is installed on the user device, provide a credential that indicates authentication of the user to the support application to enable control of a first subset of the interconnected devices via the support application, wherein the support application is configured to enable control of a second subset of the interconnected devices via the support application without the completion of the first authentication step, and the second subset excludes the first subset.

A method of operating an authentication system, the method comprising:

• receiving, at processing circuitry, an indication of a number of interconnected devices that are in communication with a user device;
• comparing, with the processing circuitry, the number of interconnected devices that are in communication with the user device to a threshold;
• facilitating, with the processing circuitry, control of a first set of the interconnected devices by an application on the user device in response to the number of interconnected devices meeting or exceeding the threshold;
• and
• facilitating, with the processing circuitry, control of a second set of the interconnected devices by the application in response to the number of interconnected devices not meeting the threshold, wherein the second set excludes the first set.