Google plans to offer its users improved security to its cloud applications through the introduction of a two-step login verification process. This announcement is a boon to enterprises interested in cloud collaboration, but in need of a more secure authentication protocol.

Google will be rolling out two-step verification in several phases. Initially, it will only be available to Google Apps Premiere, Government, and Education edition users, at no extra charge. But Google plans to make the technology available to all its users in the coming months.

Here’s how it works: After entering your password, a verification code is sent to your mobile phone via SMS. “This makes it much more likely that you’re the only one accessing your data: even if someone has stolen your password, they’ll need more than that to access your account,” explained Eran Feigenbaum, director of security for Google Apps, in a blog post.

The two-step verification process needs to be set up by a Google Apps administrator in order for it to be active.

Google plans to open-source the code for these mobile applications, allowing third parties to adapt them to specific enterprise security needs.